The bravery
of Cox and also the
memory of his comrade who lost their life needed to be commemorate
in France. its Memorial was unveiled on the 90th anniversary of the
battle at the Star crossroads on the 17th March 2007.
If you come to Achiet-le-Grand from
Bapaume road, a sign indicates the road to follow at the Chemist.
When
I started my research, I discovered that a stretcher bearer named
Christopher Cox was awarded a VC during the advance to Bihucourt when the
7th Bedford regiment was facing south Achiet-le-Grand in March 1917.
Later, I was in touch with a man "Martin Deacon" who inspired me
to build the project for Christopher.
Martin researched on the 7th
Bedfords and had written " The shiny Seventh "
I contacted Kings Langley Parish
Council, the
councillor Gery Angiolini realised that Christopher was
not commemorated in the town" Helmeltoday the
Gazette", Kings Langley Parish Council decided to join the project and agreed financial help to
"The Somme Remembrance Association" to build
a memorial
( Kings
Langley financed the plaque and the information panel ).
Kings Langley Parish Council also decided to
commemorate Christopher Cox VC in All St church on the 9 th September 2006.
During the pals March in summer 2006 for the
90th anniversary of the battle of the Somme, I met two men from
Ampthill. when they returned to England, they decided to join with a team of builders and to come to France to erect the memorial with Bedford's
bricks dedicated to Christopher Cox VC.