227097 S/Sgt. Robert Henry Cox British Army Royal Army Medical Corps from:Tottenham, London My maternal grandfather I never knew. He died before I was born in 1947 Robert Cox. I have inherited his medals and have now learnt a great deal.
He was born in 1909 on 29 January and was a bicycle repair man before he served the country later in the Army in India/Malaya/Singapore where he contracted cancer. It looks like he died at St John's Island or at least was diagnosed there, he is buried at Abney Park cemetery in London in August 1947.
It looks like he enlisted or was called up twice, as a reservist in the Royal Artillary Reserve in 209 Battery 53rd London and later as an Army Medic in the RAMC. He married my nan, Matilda Elizabeth Leete in August 1928 and soon my Aunt and mother were born in 1931/34.
My mother, Sheila Cecelia Cox, joined the WRAF in July 1951 and met my father Samual John Beauchamp also a serving member of the RAF. I was born in 1955 after my older sister. I joined the WRAF in 1974 as a drill instructor and re-joined some years later in 2001 as a reservist Medic only to be called up for Gulf II as aeromed evacuation. History repeating itself?
My paternal grandfathers' histories in the Army has been fascinating to learn. My paternal grandfather/great grandfather and great, great, grandfather were also in the wars, serving in WW2 as an anti-aircraft gunner in the Royal Artillery, his father in the 1st 2nd and 4th Rifles qualifying as a bugler in Southern Ireland to South Africa to Ladysmith Laing's Nek, Tugela Heights, Sudan and Karthom and India. The letters home to his wife although faded copies, are very proper and sincere.
All their medals tell a story which I aim to follow up.
My son, Daniel, followed in my footsteps and has served 12 years in the RAF. Completing at least 5 generations serving this country.
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