Rushden Research Group: obituary Mr E S Cox 1944

Rushden Echo, 28th July 1944, transcribed by Peter Brown

Mr. E. S. Cox, Rushden

Mr Ernest Sidney Cox (57), whose death in a cycling accident is reported in another column, was born at Higham Ferrers and had lived in Rushden tor over 30 years, his home being at 52, Crabb-street. He had been employed by the Mill Chrome Tanning Co., Ltd., for about eight years.

Mr Cox was on the Men's Committee of the British Legion (Rushden Branch) for 21 years and was a member of the Northamptonshire Branch of the Salonika Re-union Association since its formation, being one of its first chairmen. He had belonged to the Wardens' Service right from the commencement of the war. A wife, Mrs K Cox, is left. There is no family.

The funeral took place on Tuesday, and the service was conducted in the Park-road Baptist Church by the minister (Rev R Percy Jones).

Family mourners were: Mrs Cox (widow), Mr J Cox (brother), Mrs J. Cox, Mrs H Cox (sister-in-law), Mr and Mrs J Benning (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mrs T Hill, Mrs A Harvey and Mrs F Partridge (sisters-in-law), Mr E Partridge (nephew), Mr and Mrs H Benning, Mr and Mrs P Benning (brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law).

Mr and Mrs C. Cox, of Birmingham (brother and sister-in-law) were unable to attend.

Men of the British Legion were the coffin bearers, and a number of the committee men and women attended. Mr O A H Muxlow represented his wife, who is chairman of' the Women's Section. Several members of the Wardens' Service were also present, and Mr S Pinnock represented the Mill Chrome Tanning Co.

Among the floral tributes were those from the British Legion Men's Committee, British Legion Committee and Members, Dance Committee of the British Legion British Legion Women's Section, Salonika Re-union Association, Wardens' service and the Mill Chrome Tanning Co. Ltd.

Mr J Clarke was the undertaker.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 28^th July, 1944, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Rushden Man Killed Near Higham
Collision Between Cycle And Military Truck

A popular member of the Rushden British Legion Committee, Mr. Ernest Sidney Cox (57), of 52, Crabb-street, lost his life on Saturday morning when, cycling from the Mill Chrome Tannery at Higham Ferrers, he was involved in an accident with an American Military vehicle.

Mr. Cox who was employed at the Mill, left just before 11 o’clock, and the collision occurred as he cycled on to the main Higham Ferrers-Irthlingborough road. He was dead upon arrival at Wellingborough Park Hospital, where he was taken in the Irthlingborough ambulance.

A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned by the Acting Coroner after he conducted an inquest at Irthlingborough Police Station.

His widow, who was represented by Colonel Poole, assistant secretary to the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives, gave evidence of identification, stating that her husband had ridden a cycle for years, and knew the road well.

The American authorities and the driver of the truck were represented by Faulkner Gammage, Northampton.

A Good View

The police officer gave details of measurements he took at the time of the accident, stating that the view from near the end of the road was uninterrupted for 200 yards one way and 150 the other.

C. Pitney, U.S. Army, driver of the American truck, said he was travelling north at about 10.45 a.m., and he was headed down the hill towards the Irthlingborough viaduct when he saw a cyclist emerging from the entrance of a factory on his left hand side of the road. He sounded his hooter, but the cyclist did not seem to take heed and continued out on to the main road towards Rushden.

Witness applied his brakes and swerved to attempt to avoid the cyclist, but without success, for the cycle struck the spare wheel of witness’ vehicle and the rider fell away on to the road. The empty truck, weighing three-quarters of a ton, was travelling at about 25 miles per hour just before witness saw the cyclist.

A passenger in the truck, Cpl. R. L. Priest, U.S. Army, corroborated the evidence of the driver.

‘Knew Road Too Well’

Dr. Lewis Couper, a captain in the R.A.M.C., said that when he arrived Mr. Cox was at the side of the road deeply unconscious. He had internal injuries and a fractured skull, and died in the ambulance on the way to Wellingborough Cottage Hospital. The injuries were caused probably by a fall backwards, and witness attributed death to asphyxiation. Artificial respiration was carried out and was continued in the ambulance on the way to hospital.

The Acting Coroner, returning the verdict, commented “He probably knew the road so well that he cycled out into the main road subconsciously.

Inspector R. E. Valentine, Rushden, represented the police.

………………………

Mr. E. S. Cox, Rushden

Mr. Ernest Sidney Cox (57), whose death in a cycling accident is reported in another column, was born at Higham Ferrers and had lived in Rushden for over 30 years, his home being at 52, Crabb-street. He had been employed by the Mill Chrome Tanning Co., Ltd., for about eight years.

Mr. Cox was on the Men’s Committee of the British Legion (Rushden Branch) for 21 years and was a member of the Northamptonshire Branch of the Salonika Re-union Association since its formation, being one of its first chairmen. He had belonged to the Wardens’ Service right from the commencement of the war. A wife, Mrs. K. Cox, is left. There is no family.

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