Wakefield Museums and Castles: Arthur Cox

On November 11, 1918, Wakefield-born soldier George Kellett wrote in his diary:

"We heard that an Armistice had been signed but we keep hearing explosions and cannot tell whether it is gunfire or not"

George’s diary is a valuable insight into an ordinary soldier’s experience of the First World War.

We’ve put together an interactive learning resource based on his diary entries.

Sepia photograph of George Kellett in his army uniform. He is a young white man in his early 20s. He has short hair, is clean-shaven, and smiling at the camera.

George Kellett in uniform during the First World War.
He would have been in his early 20s during the War.

George survived the war and was demobilised (taken out of active service) on January 21st 1919.

He went home to marry his childhood sweetheart Emma.

Handwritten note from George to Emma, which reads: 21st January 1919 - Demobilised today. Don't write until you hear from me. Best love, George xxx

A postcard from George to Emma, which reads: 21st January 1919 - Demobilised today. Don't write until you hear from me. Best love, George xxx

Unfortunately, many soldiers were not as lucky as George.

We’re also remembering Sergeant Arthur Cox, from Thornes Lane, Wakefield.

A Sergeant with the Royal Field Artillery, Arthur earned the Military Medal for bravery in the field.

A hand-tinted photograph of Sergeant Arthur Cox

Unlike George, Arthur was an experienced soldier, having previously risen to the rank of Corporal with a volunteer regiment, the Queen’s Own Yorkshire Dragoons.

He had fought in South Africa during the Second Boer War and been honoured with the Freedom of Wakefield.

Arthur sadly died just a few weeks after the government announced his Military Medal award in the London Gazette.

Arthur Cox's 7 service medals and memorial plaque

Arthur Cox's medals, with the Military Medal (top left), other service medals, and his memorial plaque in the centre.

Arthur was killed in action on 29^th July 1917 ahead of the 3^rd Battle of Ypres, better known as Passchendaele.

He is buried at the Godeswaersvelde British War Cemetery in France, near the Belgian border.

After the Armistice, Arthur’s widow received a photograph of his grave, his posthumous service medals, and a memorial plaque. Sometimes called the ‘Widow’s Penny, these plaques were sent to the next of kin of all fallen soldiers. Arthur’s family proudly displayed the plaque surrounded by his medals from both wars.