Orders, Decorations and Medals

Five: Chief Gunner W. S. Cox, Royal Navy

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (W. S. Cox, A.B.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Gunr., R.N., H.M.S. Barracouta); British War Medal 1914-20 (Ch. Gnr., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R. (P.O. 1st Cl., H.M.S. Canada); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed, contact marks, nearly very fine and better (5) £400-500

William Samuel Boon Cox was born in Devon on 24 September 1865. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on the training ship Impregnable in January 1882 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class on the training ship Lion in November the same year. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman when on the Monarch in August 1883 and Able Seaman on the same vessel in July 1884. He was with the Monarch again during October 1884-June 1885, during which time he saw service with the Nile Flotilla. Cox was promoted to Leading Seaman in August 1888 when on the Rupert and was appointed Petty Officer 1st Class on the Audacious in May 1890. He was awarded the L.S.& G.C. Medal whilst serving on the Canada during the period December 1892-March 1896. He served on the Excellent, January-March 1897 and was promoted to Acting Gunner on 5 February. As Gunner on the Barracouta, June 1897-October 1900, he saw service in the Boer War and his service papers record, ‘Mr Cox has performed the duties of Gunnery Officer with great zeal and ability’. Sold with some copied service papers and roll extract.