Person

William Coxon was born in 1890 in Stanley. His father William Coxon (1858-1936), was a coal miner, originally from Marley Hill. His mother was Jane Johnson (1860-1910) from Stanley. His parents married in 1887 and William was their eldest child. He had two younger sisters. William and his family lived at 4 Joicey Square, Stanley throughout his life. At the 1911 census he is recorded living there with his father and a sister and his occupation is recorded as a house painter. His mother had died in 1910.

William joined the 8th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) in the early days of the war, probably at some time in October 1914. He became private 2694 and was posted to France on 2 April 1915. He was killed in action near Ypres, Flanders, Belgium on 2 March 1916 probably as his unit were preparing to attack to regain the International Trench this action began on 3 March 1916.

William is buried in the New Irish Farm Cemetery, north east of Ypres. There are now 4,719 commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. He had been buried elsewhere but his body was exhumed and reburied in this cemetery after the war. He was identified from a disc he was wearing. His grave at plot XXX.B.3 is alongside the grave of an unknown sergeant of the DLI who had been brought in from the same battlefield graveyard as William and his rank and regiment identified from his clothing.

William was unmarried when he died. His father, who was still living in Joicey Square, was informed of William’s death in 1916. He also received his effects and his medals. William Coxon was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service. He is honoured in Stanley in the Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Andrew’s Church, Stanley.

Civil Parish: Stanley

Birth date: 1890

Death date: 02-Mar-1916

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 4 Joicey Square, Stanley (1891, 1901 and 1911 census)

Employment: House painter (1911 census)

Family: Parents: William Coxon (1858-1936), Jane Coxon nee Johnson (1860-1910)
Siblings: Hannah Jane Coxon (1893), Priscilla Coxon (1895)

Military service:

2694
Private
8th Battalion
Durham Light Infantry

Medal(s): 1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): New Irish Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Andrew’s Church, Stanley

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham