Fred Coxen's military career after the last journal entry
The last
journal entry was on May 6th, 1915. I wondered what could have happened
to alter his regiment of recording his daily experiences, perhaps the answer
might be among his numerous military documents, which may contain bits of
information necessary for reassembling the one-hundred year old puzzle.
After May 6th, the first recorded
event impacting Fred was his field promotion to 2nd Lieutenant, which
took place on August 21st, 1915. Although significant, it does not
articulate what happened during the three months between his last entry and his
promotion; questions without answers.
Within the box of documents, I found and
opened Fred’s “Officer’s Record of Services – Army book 439”. Studying its
contents, I found a notation on the pages titled, “Service”, stating he left
France on September 1, 1915 and return to England. Under the column marked “At Home”, he had
written, (AA
Drilling), September 2, 1915 to November 27, 1917. I then realized there must be
complexities within his simple statement “AA drilling”, which were not obvious.
Reviewing other military communiqués, I discovered that the Royal Field Artillery
sent Fred to the Mersey Defence District on May 13, 1916. He was to perform inspections
on the Anti-Aircraft Gun Detachments in Liverpool. I questioned, what transpired in the eight
months prior to his deployment to the Mersey Defence District? One plausible
explanation would be that he was being trained on anti-aircraft guns, which
would be logical, considering his previous experience had been with field
artillery. Anti-aircraft training would also offer credence to his
qualifications for inspecting the AA batteries.
An RFA dispatch to the Mersey Defence
District, questioned why the inspection was taking longer than expected, and
requested that they be informed if Fred wasn’t going to return. In the bottom
section of the same document, the Mersey Defence District, recommended that 2nd
Lieutenant F. Coxen be considered for appointment to Adjutant and Quartermaster,
along with the temporary rank of Captain – until a replacement could be found. Fred remained with the Defense District until
November 30, 1916, at which time he returned to the RFA.
I discovered a great deal of military
correspondence regarding Fred’s request for additional duty pay, for the period
he held the temporary rank of Captain. His claim was eventually settled, as
stated in the letter written by the Major commanding Liverpool A. A. Defences. The communiqué also presented
insight to Fred’s next assignment, “Captain
Coxen was recommended for the appointment to Adjutant in May last, and carried
out the duties whilst the Establishment was under consideration and issued, and
until relieved, 30th November 1916, on assuming command of the 47th
A.A. Company, R.G.A. However, I
found no further details validating his command of the 47th AA
Company.
Referring back to his service record, I
noticed that he remained in England until November 11, 1917. Then on November
28, 1917 he was redeployed to France and assigned to an AA Battery. Prior to his departure, Fred posed
for a photograph wearing his captain’s uniform, which he would not wear again for
two years. Upon his arrival in France he
reverted back to his rank of 2nd Lieutenant and assigned an AA
Battery.
Rummaging through the box of documents, I
noticed a small piece of brown paper with a hand written message. In the upper
left-hand corner, the paper was stamped, “N ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY” and directly
below it was Fred’s signature “F Coxen RFA” “N” Battery. The handwritten
message congratulated Fred for the downing of a bird (aeroplane), however
headquarters couldn’t verify if was downed solely by N-battery, or a section of
Q-battery, so they divided the kill between the two batteries. N-battery was part of the HQ, 3rd
Army group, which according to sources on the “Great War Forum” was assigned to
defend Paris. The fact that the paper was a congratulatory
note from headquarters, and sent to Fred, indicates that Fred was “N” Battery’s
commander.
Referring
back to his service record, Fred remained in France until May 18, 1918, at
which time he returned to England.
A military record shows in November of 1918 he
was seconded for service with the newly formed Royal Air Force, and assigned to
the 253 Squadron, R.A.F. Bembridge. He is listed as an Observer Officer and was
placed in charge of the payroll department. I have no doubt that Fred was sent
to the RAF because of his prior payroll experience while Adjutant of the Mersey
Defence District.
I discovered a communiqué from, Captain D.
Durston, Officer Commanding 74th Wing RAF Calshot, recommending Fred
for a promotion to the temporary rank of Lieutenant, while another memo
referenced that Fred was promoted to the permanent rank of Lieutenant –
retroactive to July 1, 1917.
While operating the payroll department for
the Royal Air Force, the Royal Field Artillery sent a message requesting Fred’s
return to his RFA unit forthwith. Within the same communiqué, the Royal Air
Force requested he remain with them for an additional two weeks, reasoning that
their heavy work load, and complicated payroll system required his skills until
a new person could be trained. Then on August
7, 1919 the Officer Commanding, R.A.F. Navigation School, Calshot, drafted a
letter cancelling Fred’s orders to report to his RFA unit.
I wonder if during his time with the RAF he
learned to fly. I found nothing within his records indicating that he did
receive flight training, however, I have a photograph showing Fred in an
aviator’s uniform. Posting this photo on the “Great War Forum”, a member of the
forum posted the following:
It's a standard RAF issue Sidcot Suit (from the
inventor, Australian RNAS aviator Flight Sub Lieutenant Sidney Cotton) made from proofed khaki twill over a
rubberised muslin inter-lining and a mohair liner. However, he may
not have been going to fly in the immediate future, as he's wearing ordinary
shoes, rather than an airman's fur-lined 'fug' boots, though sometimes airmen
flew without the boots if the flight was to be short and/or at low level.
I hope this helps you.
While
attached to the Royal Air Force, he wore the uniform of an officer and through
the sharp eyes of another GWR member, he identified that Fred was an “Observer”
and would have worn a flying uniform like the one in the photograph.
Gareth
Is he 39776 Bombardier later Captain Frederick
Coxen? If so the rear of his Medal Index Card advises he was at RAF Navigator's
School (24 July 1919) and he also has a post war address of 253 Squadron at
Benbridge (Isle of Wight). He will almost certainly have full service papers.
If he discharged prior to 1922 they will be at the NA, post 1922 the records
are still with the RAF. This tells you more: http://www.nationala...yalairforce.htm. I see your other posts on the forum about him.
In the one by himself he is wearing at RAF Observer's Half Wing. This is
consistent him being trained as a Navigator. He would have worn a suit similar
to that shown here when flying, though not necessarily a pilot. Rgds
Tim D
There is
also family lore that the picture of him in his RFA captain’s uniform, which
was taken in 1917, along with a photograph of his wife, were each placed in picture
frames made from the wooden propeller of a plane he flew – that is the rumor
and I have the frames with the photographs.
Among his personal items was a photograph of
seaplane, the N9111, also known as a Short 184.
It is unknown if he flew or was a navigator on this type of aircraft, whatever
the case, it is an interesting photograph.
His official military record shows that he
transferred back to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers as Captain on the 26th
of February 1920, at which time he left the service and returned to his
civilian occupation of electrician.
The exact reason he ended his journal on May
6th, 1915 will remain unknown.
