Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private F. Cox, Devonshire Regiment, who was killed in action in Mesopotamia on 8 March 1916

British War and Victory Medals (1680 Pte., Devon. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1680 Pte., Devon. R.), with related Memorial Plaque (Frank Cox), extremely fine (4) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties formed by Tim Parsons.

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Frank Cox, who was born at Hatherleigh, Devonshire, where he enlisted, was killed in action in the attack on the Dujailah Redoubt, Mesopotamia on 8 March 1916, while serving in the 6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. The regimental history states of this day:

‘The ground to be crossed was “as flat as a billiard table;” there was no artillery fire and little covering fire from the Brigades in front, while the Devons could not fire for fear of hitting the troops ahead of them. But the men went forward well, “never faltering or hesitating,” almost as steadily as if on parade, making a series of short rushes in the face of heavy fire.

When they reached the 28th Brigade’s firing-line, Colonel Radcliffe was told that any further advance would merely mean annihilation. Nevertheless, the leading line, headed by the C.O., Captains Dunn-Pattison and Stranger, and Lieutenant Heriz Smith, made a most gallant attempt to carry on the advance, only to be shot down almost to a man. The bulk of the battalion halted along a bank some 400 yards from the Turkish position, which gave little protection. Here they were level with the 28th Brigade, and for the remainder of the day hung on under heavy fire, doing their best to co-operate by fire in the belated attempt which General Keary’s brigades made to storm the Redoubt ...’

Cox is commemorated on the Basra Memorial.