In Memory of Second Lieutenant DEREK PERCY COX 27th Sqdn., Royal Flying Corps who died age 21 on 21 August 1917 Son of Maj. Gen. Sir Percy Z. Cox, G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I., and Lady Cox, D.B.E., of "Woodlands," Clapham, Beds.; husband of the late Ethel Cox. Remembered with honour CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ Louisa Belle Hamilton D.B.E. m. 14 Nov 1889, at Lucknow, Sir Percy Zachariah Cox, b. 20 Nov 1864, youngest son of Arthur Z. Cox, Esq., Harwood Hall Essex; educated at Harrow and Sandhurst; joined the 2nd Batt. Cameronians 1884; Indian Staff Corps 1889; Indian Political Dept. 1890; held several political appointments, including Consul and Political Agent Muscat, Arabia 1890-1904; British Resident and Consul General at Bushire, Persian Gulf 1904; Ambassador at Teheran, Persia 1918; and apparently B.H.C. in Baghdad in 1920; Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire; Knight Grand Commander of the same order; Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India. Their only son, Derek Percy Cox, was educated at Harrow and Trinity Coll, Cambridge. At the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 he enlisted in the 11th Hussars from whence, at the desire of his relatives, he passed into Sandhurst as a cadet, but as he preferred to serve in the ranks, he was allowed to leave Sandhurst and join the Machine Gun Corps as a private. Later he became a Corporal and remained in the M.G.C. for about 18 months during which he served in France. He then received a commission in the Royal Flying Corps and served in France as an observer for about six months. He was invalided home in September 1916, and, having gained his pilot's certificate, he was ordered to France again in June 1917. On the 21st August 1917, he was out with his squadron (the 27th) on a bombing raid over Germany. He was shot down and reported "missing" on that date. In October 1917, information was received by the Red Cross at Geneva that the German red Cross stated definitely that he had been killed on the 21st August 1917. HARROW WAR MEMORIALS http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1917/1917 - 1087.html Derek P. Cox was m. 4 Oct 1916, at Holy Trinity Church, Orton, Longueville, Peterborough, to Ethel, second da. of W. Ellingdon. Esq., Pembroke Lodge, Orton (she died 4 Jan 1920) and had a son, Derek Percy, b. 25 Feb 1918. His medals came up for sale in 2002 ...
I thought I would continue this ... even though it's WW2 ! His son - Derek Percy ZACHARIAH joined the Royal Navy in 1939 In Memory of Lieutenant DEREK PERCY ZACHARIAH COX H.M.S. Avenger, Royal Navy who died age 26 on 15 November 1942 Son of Derek Percy and Ethel Cox; husband of Phyllis Cox, of Hampstead, London. Remembered with honour LEE-ON-SOLENT MEMORIAL http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/2433.html http://uboat.net/men/piening.htm http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalmaritimemuseum/2842843325/sizes/o/
2Lt D P Cox of No 27 Sqn RFC was killed in action while flying Martinsyde G102 A3992 'C3' on 21 August 1917. He was on a bombing mission to Seclin when his aeroplane collided with Martinsyde A6259, flown by Capt G K Smith MC, while in combat with enemy aircraft over Lille. The Martinsydes were subsequently brought down by German fighters. Oblt Hans Bethge of Jasta 30 claimed a victory over A3992 (his 14th) and Ltn Karl Bolle of Jasta 28 claimed A6259 (his 2nd). Another Martinsyde from the squadron, 7276, flown by 2Lt S Thompson, was also lost in the same engagement; it was claimed by Oblt Rudolf Berthod of Jasta 18 (his 13th) and/or Ltn Max Müller of Jasta 28 (his 25th). Gareth
