We wish to note the passing of Bill Cox a much loved and valued member of Burnham Royal British Legion. Bill was born on 12th July 1920 to Emily and William who lived at 6 Alma Row Burnham just behind what is now the Bee Pub. Bill had 4 Brothers and a sister, Alf, Fred, Len, Sam and Nellie. Bill went to Burnham Church of England School in Church Street and was described by his Head Master as always showing intelligence and initiative “ One of the Sharpest Boys in his Class”. He could have gone onto Grammar School but his father wouldn’t let him as he couldn’t afford the Uniform, so at the age of 14 Bill started as an Apprentice Electrician at Cliveden working for the Astor Family. Bill would tell the story of how he and another lad took some pennies they saw in the Clock Tower to buy Ice Cream not realising that they were used by the Clocksmith as counter weights so that the Clock mechanism would keep perfect time. The Clocksmith told Bill and his accomplice to replace the pennies by the time he came back from checking all the other clocks on the estate so Bill had to run home and confess to his Mum what he had done and ask for replacement pennies. It was at Cliveden that Bill was to meet a young girl June who he would meet again after the loss of his wife Betty in 2007. Once war was declared the Astor family released its young men to the war effort and Bill was to join the RAF in 1940. He said that they nearly put him in the Catering Unit. But with his skills he trained as a Flight Engineer. After Bills training he was to join the 212 Squadron in 1942 who operated the Catalina Flying Boat in the Air-Sea Rescue and Anti-Submarine Warfare role over the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and along the Coasts of India and Burma. The Squadron was based at Korangi Creek near Karachi. Winston Churchill was to quote on the Battle of Ceylon: “THE MOST DANGEROUS MOMENT OF THE WAR, and the one which caused me the greatest alarm, was when the Japanese Fleet was heading for Ceylon and the Naval Base. The Capture of Ceylon, the consequent control of the Indian Ocean, and the possibility at the same time of a German conquest of Egypt would have closed the ring and the future would have been Black” Bill was to rise in rank to Warrant Officer having flown in Liberators, Halifaxs and finally Catalinas. He flew over 70 Sorties and achieved over 1000 hours flying time. Many men had him to thank for their lives after he helped rescue them from the water when their ships had been torpedoed. After the War in 1946 Bill was to join ICI as an Electrician and after 31 years service he retired as Instrument/Electrical Superintendent. Bill married Betty Irene Whitfield on 27th June 1953 and they had many happy years traveling the world together and they both had a love of dancing. Bill had another passion which was GOLF, as a boy of 13 he caddied at Burnham Beeches Golf Club and could earn up to an extra pound a week on top of his wages from Cliveden. At 17 he joined the Artisans along with his Uncle Jim Isaac and brother Sam. Bill became a full member from 1976. The members presented Bill with a Golf Ball on a Cushion on the day he lost his first ball, because Bill never lost his golf balls. Over the years Bill was a keen supporter of the Club and twice yearly was depended on to adjust the Clock up in the turret. Bill was also a member of the ICI Golf Society for many years. Sadly in 2007 Bills wife Betty passed away after suffering with Alzheimer’s for many years. Bill was to meet the young girl he had known at Cliveden after Betty’s passing and they were to have 4 years of companionship until June passed away in 2011. Bill moved into Perry House in 2013 where he enjoyed many parties and fish & chip nights. During Quiz nights he would always know the answers to questions on geography or sport, and he loved to see the children from St Peter’s School when they would visit on a Wednesday to talk to the residents about what things were like during the war years. Bill would meet at St Peters Church on a Thursday without fail for lunch and to catch up with his RAF friends. Sadly Bill never had any children of his own but he did have many Uncles, Aunties, Cousins, Nephews and Nieces and many dear friends. He was always a very kind, considerate, selfless, giving person who loved with all his heart and was loved in return by all that knew him. Bills family would like to thank all the people who have given Bill love and friendship over the years, he always appreciated it. Bills funeral will take place at St Peters Church, Burnham, Bucks on Friday 16th January at 1200. He will then be accompanied to Slough Crematorium by the Reverend Bill Jackson for a private act of committal. All who wish to see this wonderful man off are welcome to attend and afterwards to meet at Burnham Royal British Legion, GO TO YOUR REST, BILL. PER ARDUA AD ASTRA
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 20:44:03 +0000
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