Edwin Cox – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Sandhurst

Cook’s Boy Edwin Cox – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Sandhurst

Birth and Family Background

Edwin Cox was born in 1903 in Swansea, the son of Edwin Cox and Florence Lisk, who were married in 1901 at Swansea.

1911 Census

The only census record in which Edwin appears is the 1911 Census, when the family were living at 12 Dartmouth Gardens, Milford Haven. His father, Edwin Cox, aged 44 and born in Lincoln, was employed as a Master Mariner, while his mother Florence, aged 30, managed the household. Their children were Edwin, aged 8, and Edna, aged 5. Also present in the household was Florence’s brother, Frederick Lisk, aged 23.

Mercantile Marine Service and Death

During the First World War, Edwin served with the Mercantile Marine, holding the rank of Cook’s Boy aboard the S.S. Sandhurst.

The S.S. Sandhurst was built by Blyth Shipbuilding Company Ltd., Blyth, in 1897, and at the time of her loss was owned by Britain Steamship Company Ltd. (Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd.), London. She was a British steamship of 3,034 tons.

On 6^th May 1918, Sandhurst was on a voyage from Bilbao to Ardrossan, carrying a cargo of iron ore, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB-72. The sinking occurred approximately six miles north-west by west a quarter west of Corsewall Point. Twenty members of the crew were lost.

Edwin Cox
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Edwin Cox was among those who lost their lives. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours members of the Merchant Navy who died during the First World War and have no known place of burial.