Mr William Denton Cox

William Denton Cox was born in 1882 in Southampton, Hampshire, England and his birth was registered in the March quarter of that year. He was the son of Albert Denton Cox (b. 1855) and Ellen Jane Lockyer (b. 1862). His father hailed from Abingdon, Berkshire and his mother was a Southampton-native and the couple had married in late 1881 in Southampton.

William Cox first appears on the 1891 census living at 5 Vulcan Terrace, Millbrook Road, Millbrook, Hampshire. His father is described as a railway telegraph labourer and also present with he and his parents are his siblings: Albert Henry (b. 1883), Frederick Denton (b. 1885), George Denton (b. 1887), and Kate Denton (b. 1890). Also present is his grandfather George Denton Cox. On the 1901 census William is described as a fishmonger's assistant and still living with his family, now at 19 Gordon Terrace, Freemantle, Southampton.

William doesn't appear on the 1911 census and his family are scattered around different addresses in Southampton and further afield.

When William signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, he gave his address as 110 Shirley Road, Southampton. He was transferred from the Olympic. As a third class steward he received monthly wages of £3 15s.

During the sinking of the Titanic Cox led groups of steerage passengers up to the boat deck aided by fellow third class stewards John Edward Hart and Albert Victor Pearcey.

Cox died in the sinking. His body was recovered by the Mackay-Bennett (#300) and was buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia on 7 May 1912.

© Bill Fowler, Canada

References and Sources

Agreement and Account of Crew (PRO London, BT100/259)
White Star Line (1912.) Record of Bodies and Effects (Passengers and Crew S.S. "Titanic") Recovered by Cable Steamer "MacKay Bennett"