Rushden Research Group: Roland Cox and family

Roland and Lily Cox

and family

Roland Cox (1889-1942) was born at Higham Ferrers, son of Charles and Henrietta (nee Baker).

Charles was a grindery dealer in High Street, but in 1891 he was a grocer and confectioner. He then became the caretaker at Café Royal, in Back Way. This became the Athletic Working Men’s Club and Charles remained as caretaker, and by 1901 they had 5 children and five boarders living there.

Their son Roland was born in 1889, so grew up in the club, and here began to entertain the members.

'Rolando' postcard
He was a popular comedian

The 1911 census listed him as a comedian, and was married on 5th April 1915 to Lily May Neville (1889-1978) who was born at Irthlingborough but had grown up in Higham. Roland was enlisted in WWI and according to his service papers in November 1915, he was a shoehand. He went on to serve with Royal Field Artillery for duration of war. Their daughter Henrietta B A (known as Audrey) was born in 1917, and after the war Harold J was born in 1919, later known as Joe.

By 1921 they were living at 2 Lancaster Street, Higham Ferrers as a Fishmonger. Three more children were born, Derick in 1923, Brian in 1928, and Madaleine born in 1931, before the family moved to Rushden.

Rollie and Lily moved to a fish shop established by Herbert Bates at 107 High Street, with the children, Henrietta born 1917, Harold born 1919, Derick born 1923, Brian born 1928, and Madaleine born 1931. Taking over the two adjoining shops they opened a supper room where they sold fried fish. Then in 1934 the council proposed street widening and 107-11 would be demolished.

By 1937 he had moved the family to 150 Higham Road and opened his café to 45 High Street. Between the two window of the Co-op Menswear shop, there was a passageway leading to Central Cafe, later known as Rollie Cox's.


The pretty blue crockery	Rollie in 1940

The entrance to Rollie's Cafe was down a passageway between two shops. c1968

In 1939 Joe joined the Territorial Army, and he went to camp at Little Hampton, and Rollie went as a cook there. Lily ran the cafe whilst they were away.

Then when war was declared, Joe was immediately called up.

Food was allocated by the ministry of food and allowed a certain amount of rationed food to caterers. This meant that every meal had to be accounted for. Every plate was counted after it had been washed up. Big plates for main meals, smaller plates for lighter meals, like egg or cheese on toast. Coffee, tea and other drinks, toast and sandwiches all had to be accounted, for these items there used to be a little meter which had to be tapped, and then counted at the end of the day.

The money taken had to tally with the meals counted.

In 1942 Rollie died, and the family all helped as much as they could to keep the business running, and keeping workers fed through to the end of the war. Good wholesome food prepared daily from whatever was available, some days being "meat free" due to shortages.

The business continued to flourish under the care of the whole family and relatives. Joe later became known as "Rollie" and the business traded as Cox Caterers.

Memories of Madaleine - 2005