Private Albert E Cox

Private Albert Edward Cox volunteered for Airborne Forces in 1943 and attended Parachute Course 96 at RAF Ringway which ran from 16 to 30 December 1943.

The course cadre comprised of 294 trainees who completed 2220 descents.Pte Cox received a good course report which noted he was "an efficient worker, quick to learn, good jumper".

On qualifying as a military parachutist he was initially posted to the Holding Company and later to the 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion, which formed part of the 5th Parachute Brigade, 6th Airborne Division.

The 13th Battalion dropped from Dakota and Albermarle aircraft onto DZ N (North of Ranville, near Caen), in advance of the main Normandy landings.

Private Cox died, aged 24, on 14 June 1944 and is now buried in Hermanville War Cemetery, Normandy.

Cemetery photograph reproduced by kind permission of CWGC.