Christopher Cox VC
Achiet-le-Grand during WW1
Anyone who would like to know more about Christopher Cox VC should contact Mary Hallett who has written his biography " WHITHOUT HESITATION "
On the 15th March 1917, the 7th Bn Bedfordshire Regiment (18th Division, 54th Brigade) launched an attack against the German defence lines to the south of the village of Achiet-le-Grand. In the course of the fighting, a stretcher-bearer named Christopher Cox distinguished himself by his courage and tenacity. Risking his own life, he went to the rescue of many wounded men in the face of shell and machinegun fire.
Christopher Cox was recommended for the Victoria Cross (VC) and his official citation was published in “The London Gazette” on the 11th May 1917.
Two months later at the battle for Cherisy he was wounded by two bullets in his left foot and repatriated to England
King George V decorated him on 21st July 1917 at Buckingham Palace.
Aged 64 Christopher slipped on the roof of the factory where he worked; he fell through a skylight and landed two floors below. It was several hours before he was found immobile and in pain. The accident marked a decline in his health and he spent most of the rest of his life in hospital.
Christopher Cox died in April 1959 in St Albans hospital, aged 69 years.
From 2nd Lt F.E. Dealler of the 7th Bedfords
“On the 13th March I saw Private Cox on several occasions in and about the Loupart line, always either vigorously searching for wounded or carrying cases quite oblivious to the heavy bombardment.
On the morning of the 15th March ‘B’ Coy was advancing over Hill 130 in support of the leading companies facing Bihucourt line. I saw Cox come over the Hill in rear of me undisturbed by the fact that he was being fired at as an individual target. He told me he had just bound up five men and asked where he could find more work. He did not wait to be told but went straight forward.
Subsequently, I saw him carrying a wounded man near the Star Crossroads (to south Achiet-le-grand) where fire from both artillery and M .G. was very heavy. The wounded man made a violent spasmodic movement and brought Cox to his knees. I was told that this was owing to the fact that he was hit again by M.G. Cox got up and carried on.
Subsequently, after his own Company had withdrawn from the front line, I saw him go up again towards the front line through M.G. fire though I believe all the wounded of his Company were already back.
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