William Reginald Cox
Major-General William Reginald Cox CB, DSO (13 June 1905 – 12 June 1988) was a senior British Army officer who commanded the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment in the Western European Campaign from June 1944 until Victory in Europe Day in May 1945. He later served as colonel of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry.
William Reginald Cox | |
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Born | 13 June 1905 Herefordshire, England |
Died | 12 June 1988 Salisbury, Wiltshire, England |
Buried | St Mary and St Melor Church, Amesbury |
Allegiance | |
Service/ | |
Years of service | 1925–1960 |
Rank | Major-General |
Unit | King's Shropshire Light Infantry |
Commands held | 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment 131st Infantry Brigade 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order |
Military career
Educated at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Cox joined the British Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry on 29 January 1925.[1] He served in World War II as Commanding Officer (CO) of the 11th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment from July 1942 (reconstituted as the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment from January 1943).[2]
After the war he became brigadier on the general staff at Western Command in 1948, Deputy Director of Infantry in June 1953 and Chief of Staff at Southern Command in March 1954.[2] He went on to be General Officer Commanding (GOC) Mid West District and 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division in March 1955 and Director, Territorial Army, Cadets and Home Guard in February 1958.[2] He retired in August 1960.[2]
Cox became colonel of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry in November 1957.[3] He died on 12 June 1988 and was buried at St Mary and St Melor Church in Amesbury.[2]
References
- "No. 33016". The London Gazette. 30 January 1925. p. 686.
- "Reginald Cox". Worcestershire Regiment. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
- "Succession of Colonels 1755 - 1963". British Armed Forces. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
Military offices | ||
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Preceded by Edric Bastyan |
General Officer Commanding 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division 1955–1958 |
Succeeded by Lewis Pugh |