Sword cover : Major C F Cox, 3 New South Wales Mounted Rifles

Brown leather sword cover with the initials 'C F C ' stamped on the hilt cover which is secured by a single strap and buckle. There is a reinforced chape.

Officers sword cover presented to Major Charles Cox by his Dundas friends as a recognition of his services in South Africa, 6 Febraury 1901. Born in 1863 at Pennant Hills, NSW, Charles Frederick Cox was educated in Parramatta and became a clerk with the New South Wales Railways Traffic Audit Branch in 1881. Cox enlisted in the New South Wales Lancers in 1891and served twice in the Boer War, first with the NSW Lancers and then with 3 NSW Mounted Rifles. Back in Australia, Cox returned to the Lancers which became 1Light Horse Regiment in 1903. He became the commander in 1906 and was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 2 April 1908. In September 1914, Cox was appointed command the AIF's 6th Light Horse Regiment. The regiment arrived at Gallipoli on 19 May 1915. Two days later, Cox was wounded by shrapnel, was evacuated and did not rejoin his regiment until 1 July. In September, Cox became acting commander of 1 Light Horse Brigade. In December 1915 the appointment became permanent and Cox was promoted to Colonel and temporary Brigadier General. He was to hold this post for the duration of the war. Cox returned to Australia in March 1919. In 1920 he was elected to the Senate and was appointed to command 4 Light Horse Brigade, and then 1Cavalry Division in 1921. In 1923 he was transferred to the retired list with the rank of honorary Major General. He died at Croyden on 20 November 1944 and was buried in the Carlingford Cemetery with military honours.