Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Military Service

Additional Information

Son of Harry and Clara Cox.

Cousin of Private George Edward Dillow, who died while serving with the Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment).

Close in age, the two boys were first cousins once removed. Cyril became a tin worker and George worked as a butcher before they enlisted together on 13 August 1918. Both men joined the 1st Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment at Belleville, Ontario and were allocated consecutive regimental numbers. Both were not fully fit for general service and categorized to serve at home only. They began training at Belleville that summer.

When the influenza pandemic hit Belleville, both young men fell ill. Dillow was admitted to Belleville General Hospital suffering from influenza on 4 October 1918 and Cox followed on 8 October. Both men died of pneumonia within hours of each other—Dillow on 14 October and Cox the next day. They appeared on the same casualty list.

Commemorated on Page 390 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.