British War Medal. Silver issue (150378 Gnr. E.E. Cox. R.A.)

Wounded-in-Action France 1917: Signalman Edmund Eglington Cox, 290th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery, is confirmed having been Wounded-in-Action, at Ypres in 1917, when on 30 October 1917, he was admitted to the 51st Field Ambulance for treatment for wounds described as 'SW Face and Concussion' (ref Hospital admission and discharge papers for the 51st Field Ambulance see register for period 26 September to 1 November 1917 (MH 106/102) found in the War Office: First World War Representative Medical Records of Servicemen

The recipients extant service / medical records held and accessible at The National Archives

Medals verification: The recipients entitlement to the award of a British War Medal, together with Interallied Victory Medal & a Silver War Badge are is confirmed per the respective medal roll references shown below:

- British War Medal. Silver issue: WO 329/288 showing service with 'Base Details R.G.A
- Interallied Victory Medal: WO 329/288 'Discharged, surplus to Military Requirements 10.07.1919'
- Silver War Badge: WO 329/2989. Awarded SWB (No. B219888) shows enlisted 22 March 1917

Important: The recipient - only a teenager - is confirmed having been awarded 2 x Silver War Badges - the first for prior 'Home Service' with 3rd Battalion South Wales Borderers

Edmund Eglington Cox, son of Elijah Cox (a 'Licensed Pilot for Bristol Channel') and Margaret Ann Cox (nee McDonald) was a native of Newport. Monmouthshire, Wales, where he was born on, 31 May 1899. The 1911 National Census for England & Wales, records Edmund residing with his father, and 4 x elder sibling brothers (two of whom were later 'Killed-in-Action' during the Great War) at the family residence located at, 49 Stow Hill, Newport, Monmouthshire. Prior to enlisting in the British Army on 22 March 1917, at which time he was just 17 years of age, he posted to the Royal Garrison Artillery of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, Edmund described his civilian trade as a 'Musician'. He also cited prior military service earlier in the Great War, when only 16 years of age he had 'Patriotically' enlisted in his local infantry regiment ,the South Wales Borderers, in which unit he served with the 3rd battalion from 12 August 1915 until taking his discharge from 3/SWB on, 23 August 1916. Edmund subsequently served overseas in France from 1917, where he served as a Gunner and later Signalman with the Royal Garrison Artillery (inc 290th Siege Battery & Base Details). He took his final discharge from the British Army on, 23 March 1919, due to being 'Medically Unfit for Further Service', thereafter and returning to his native Wales. At the time of the compilation of the 1939 National Register for England & Wales, Edmund is shown residing in Clevedon, Somerset, England, together with his wife, Winifred Vera Cox (nee Hawker), and where he was employed as 'Sign Writer & Coach Painter'

A medal to a highly tenacious and patriotic Welsh teenager

Condition: GVF

Code: 24273