The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. R C R Cox

Ralph Cyril Rupert Cox was born on 12th April 1910, the son of Harry and Eva Cox, of Luton, Bedfordshire.

He joined the RAFVR about April 1939 as an Airman u/t Observer. He was employed at the Vauxhall Motor Works at the time.

Cox was Secretary of the Bedfordshire Amateur Athletic Association and a prominent member of the Luton Athenian Club. He was also an outstanding hop, step and jump competitor and cross-country runner.

He married Violet May Good in Luton in October 1932.

He was called up on 1st September 1939, completed his training and joined 248 Squadron on 25th June 1940.

On 27th August 1940 Cox was a member of the crew of a Blenheim which failed to return from a sortie to reconnoitre the southern coast of Norway. The aircraft, Blenheim IV L9449, was shot down by fighters. The pilot, P/O CJ Arthur and the gunner, Sgt. EA Ringwood, were reported 'Missing'.

Cox's body was washed up at Stromstad on the Swedish coast and he is buried in Kviberg Cemetery, Gothenburg. He was 30 years old.

Grave photographs courtesy of Ray Duke-Berkeley of The Association of British and Commonwealth Servicemen & Women in Sweden (www.abcsws.se/old/index.htm)