This web site informs us that Private 10293 George Caleb Cox died on the 29th October 1915. He was the son of John and Mary Jane Cox of Ecchinsell. This is confirmed by the Commonwealth War Grave Commission. He is buried at Becourt Militray Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt on the Somme in France in grave reference I.C.9. He was 19 at the time of his death and a private in the 6th Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment). Soldiers Died in the Great War informs us that he died of wounds.

The 6th Battalion was formed as part of Kitchener's Second New Army and joined the 53rd Infantry Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. The Regimental War Diary informs us that on the 29th October the Battalion was stationed in La Boiselle and that Pte Cox - D coy wounded on the 26th died at Meaulte this morning.

He appears to have had a tragic life. He was the son of John Caleb Cox and Mary Jane Hunt (born in Ecchinswell in 1864) who married in 1885. John Caleb Cox’s death is listed in 1896. At the time of John’s death Mary Jane had three young children Edith Cox born in 1890 in Burghclere, Elizabeth Cox born in 1893 in Burghclere and George Caleb born in 1896 in Ecchinswell.

In 1897 Mary Jane married Charles Allen an agricultural labourer born in Overton about 1864 and they went on to live in Ratts Cottages, Ecchinswell where George Caleb’s half brother Harry Allen was born in 1900.

By 1911 George was working as a boy on a farm and living in Quarry Cottages Sydmonton. Head of the household was Daniel Hunt listed as his grand-father. Daniel was 76 (b about 1835 in Ecchinswell) and working as a cowman on a farm. Elsie Elizabeth Miles was also present and listed as Daniel’s grand-daughter. She was born around 1892 in Aldermaston and is listed as a house keeper.

His mother, Mary Jane Allen, appears to have died in 1903. So his father died around the time of his birth, his mother remarried and then died when George was only 7. He then went to live with his grand-father before being killed at the age of 19 only six months after his cousin was killed. A very sad story.

Adrian Wander