Military History

Unfortunately Frank's WW1 Service Record did not survive the fire caused by a WW2 German bombing raid, however an old Militia Service record did survive.

• 14 Jan 1905 enlisted in the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Militia as Private 9193
• 26 Aug 1906 "improperly enlisted" into Notts & Derby Regiment, which is within in the correct date range for his WW1 Service number (Source).
• Frank's Register of Effects states "Cox alias Colver, Frank", we don't know why!, there is a Frank Cox in the 1st Bn Notts & Derby in the 1911 India Census
  This is supported by a short entry in the Fillongley Parish Magazine 
• Frank's medal card states that he arrived in France on 8 September 1914 and his Medal Roll confirms it was with the 2nd Battalion Notts & Derby - Sherwood Foresters - Regiment.
• Frank's War Grave Commission record states that he died while serving with the 1st Battalion.
• We do not know when he transferred from the 2nd to the 1st but he was out of the line from 5th to the 12th June 1915 when we was admitted to 2nd General Hospital. A medical record show that he was discharged into "O.C. Reinforcements" and the 1st Battalion war diary records 50 men joining on 17th June.
• We have been unable to find Frank's army pension records and so cannot comment on his place of residence during the war.

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Frank is listed as being killed in action on 4th March 1917. The 1st Battalion war diary entry covering the period 4th to 6th March is transcribed below.

Andover, Somme - 4^th, 5^th & 6^th Mar 1917: At 5:15 our barrage opened, within 3 minutes the enemy got his counter barrage damn practically before all our men were able to move forward.

No 11387 Sgt Rump?, having had nine men of his platoon hit by one shell, Displayed remarkable coolness and courage rallying his men when they were shaken. He reorganised the remainder of the platoon and by his own example lead then forward through the enemy fire into the front line trenches.

As our men entered the enemy's lines the Germans men just scrambling out of the dug outs. The assaulting battalions went straight on to Pallas Support Trench and our “moppers up” remained behind to clear up Pallas trench.

The enemy had prepared several bombing posts and these were the obstacles which had to be overcome. In several places there was much hand to hand fighting for these posts. No 13191 Pte Caunt, Herring bombing going on in the trench next to him At once went to the spot where he found a small party held up by a strong enemy post and having already lost one officer and seven men in attempting to capture the position Pte Caunt Village that the situation was becoming serious pushed his way through his comrades and rushed along the intermediate position of the trench although bombs were still falling in it. Appearing suddenly round that reverse he took the seven Germans completely by surprise and upon ordering them to surrender they immediately did so.

Groups have been told off for clearing dugouts. No 10345 Sgt Ferguson When in command of one of these entered several dugouts single handed and brought out the enemy who were lurking at the bottom. Twice he went down a deep dog out even though he was met with opposition and cleared it of its contents.

Capt Moore seeing a German at the mouth of a dugout prepared to shooting but in doing so tripped and fell, nevertheless he succeeded attaining his object from his lying down position on the bottom of the trench.

During the time that these two Coys were mopping up A & B Coys we're carrying ammunition and material from our original frontline to Pallas Front & Support trenches Crossing over no man's land continuously through heavy enemy fire. Their work carried with it none of the excitement which fell to the other two Coys but the way in which they stopped to it brought great credit upon all concerned. Several times when their NCO's became casualties the senior Privates immediately took over command and let them in over the open.

Three times fires broke out on the dumps but these were quickly extinguished and on one occasion No 5869 L/Cpl Jarratt Saved one dump by his personal bravery in removing bombs from the burning heap.

Through there untiring devotion the duty the stretcher bearers succeeded in evacuating practically all the casualties from Pallas Trench No 7071 Pte Mills Crossing no man's land between 25 and 30 times.

Ohh 6:15 AM all objectives had been taken and held and the mopping up Coys had completely cleared the new support trenches.

During the day the enemy made four local counterattacks that in each case never succeeded in penetrating our line.

A & B Coys we're relieved about 9:00 PM and withdrew to Andover, C & D Coys remaining in the line until the morning of the 5th when they were also recalled to Andover their place is being taken by A & B Coys.

Our casualties had been heavy losing 35 killed and 67 wounded. Capt Gleave when going up on the 5th was hit by a shell and killed instantaneously. Lt’s Hall & Davidson were Also killed on the 4th when carrying material to the front line. A very large percentage of the casualties occurred amongst Platoon commanders and senior NCO's throwing much of the responsibility upon the junior NCO’s.

The attack was in every way successful and the 8th Division, by capturing the high ground, rendered Aldershot Valley secure from German observation and gave us command of all the surrounding country.