Lieutenant-Colonel W.R. Cox
7th Battalion, Green Howards

During the whole of the action Lt-Col Cox has continually on the move under small arms and mortar fire. His complete disregard for his own safety at a critical period and the calm manner in which he moved about directing the attack and encouraging the Coys was a fine example and great inspiration to all ranks.

(D.S.O. citation, 1 Mar 1945)

Born on 13 June 1905 in Herefordshire, William Reginald Cox was commissioned with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry after completing Royal Military College Sandhurst in 1925. He rose to captain and adjutant before attending staff college at Camberley in 1939. Following general staff officer appointments, he became commanding officer of 11th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment in July 1942. Six months later the unit was reconstituted as the 1st Battalion—the original had been destroyed after the surrender of Singapore.

He relinquished command in September 1943 to assume staff duties. When Lieutenant-Colonel P.H. Richardson of was taken prisoner after the D-Day landings, the 7th Battalion, Green Howards needed a new commanding officer. Cox took over from second-in-command Major Hugh Oldman on 22 June. He was slightly wounded on 26 September and hospitalized. He rejoined in early October but then assumed temporary command of 131st Infantry Brigade.

Cox would be awarded the D.S.O., and in December, he transferred to 69th Infantry Brigade, which returned to the United Kingdom along with the 50th Division. After the war, he commanded the 129th Infantry Brigade until 1947, and subsequently held various postings in the Middle East, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom. He commanded the 53rd Infantry Division from 1955 to 1958, and retired from the army as major-general in 1960.

He died on 12 June 1988 in Salisbury, Wiltshire.