1821 Info 5b: Caleb Crompton
John arthur Cox and Elizabeth maud McCann's grandchildren

Some of the ten children of Arthur Herbert COX and Isabel

Arthur John - Arthur Herbert and Isabel's first child

Arthur John was born on 08 May 1928 at Clifton Hill, Melbourne. On 22 July 1950 he married Dorothy Lilian BOND (Vic BMD 12027/1950), who was born on 04 December 1928.

A search of Ancestry Electoral Rolls for all states for Arthur John COX, Dorothy Lilian COX and Dorothy Lilian BOND only reveals:

Arthur died in Hurlston Park, Sydney, New South Wales on 07 July 1987 (NSW BMD 16361/1987) . A Dorothy Lillian COX died New South Wales in 1992. (NSW BMD 108409/1992).

William George - Arthur Herbert and Isabel's second child

William George was born on 26 September 1929 in Foster. In 1953 he married Margaret Jean WARD (Vic BMD 16142/1953).

Ancestry Electoral Rolls show William George as a single man at:

His future wife lived in Yarram, the daughter of a bank clerk, 50km east of Foster.

From 1963 to 1980 the couple lived in Foster:

William George died on 09 October 2005.

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Alan Francis - Arthur Herbert and Isabel's third child

In 1954, an unattached Alan Francis COX appears in the Electoral Roll living on Amey's Track. This is the son of Albert Herbert as Alan Francis later became a naval cook.

On 06 August 1966 Alan Francis married Winifred Hannah ATTENBOROUGH. Vic BMD has no obvious record of the marriage on 06 August 1966 or of her birth on 03 August 1923.

However, Vic BMD records the marriage of Winifred Hannah ATTENBOROUGH to Tasman CASSIDY in 1946 (Vic BMD 8734/1946). In 1946 Winifred married Charles Rodney (Tasman) CASSIDY at Yarram. Charles Rodney died on 20 July 1963.

On 01 December 1953 Winifred and Charles had a daughter Kerry Dianne, who was born at Yarram. She died in 2010. It is possible there were three other children.

At the age of 43, her marriage to Alan was her second marriage.

Right: Winifred Hannah Attenborough's first wedding to Charles Rodney CASSIDY in 1946

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In 1949 the couple were recorded in Walhall, 128km north of Foster.

In 1954 the couple were living in Yarram, though 10km apart:

In 08 January 1951 Alan Francis signed up for six years engagement in the Royal Australian Navy as R39863. He was recorded as being 5 foot 8 inches (1.727m) with brown hair and eyes and a scare right elbow. His Next Of Kin was Arthur Cox of Amy's Track, Foster. His trade was a linesman

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Alan's service record is difficult to interpret. The best dates appear to be:

On 31.12.56 and 07.01.57 his character was assessed as 'VG' and his efficiency as 'Sat'.

HMAS Lonsdale is a former Royal Australian Navy (RAN) training base that was located at Beach Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Originally named Cerberus III, the Naval Reserve Base was commissioned as HMAS Lonsdale on 1 August 1940 during World War II. Lonsdale was decommissioned in 1992.

Right: HMAS Lonsdale 1940-1949, previously HMAS Cerebus

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Perhaps, in 1967, the printed Electoral Roll had not caught up with Winifred's second marriage. In 1967 Winifred, was a single person recorded at:

and

By 1967, though still in Amey's track, Alan was married and had reverted to the occupation recorded in his navy records.

though his wife was living at a different address

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From 1977 through to 1980:
  • 1980, 762, Cox, Alan Francis, Colville St., Port Albert, linesman, in Yarram a sub- division of Gippsland
  • 1980, 763, Cox, Winifred Hannah, Colville St., Port Albert, home duties, in Yarram a sub-division of Gippsland

Port Albert is 50km east of Foster.



Right: Alan Francis Cox dressed in an acknowledgement to his naval career with his Able Seaman rank chevron. Source: Genevieve Healy née Forbes

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Winifred and Alan Francis are buried in Yarram New Cemetery, plot Lawn 4A Lot 497

Right: Winifred and Alan Francis Cox's headstone

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James David - Arthur herbert and Isabel's fourth child

James David COX was born on 13 March 1932. There is no record of his birth in Vic BMD between 1930 and 1935.

James David signed up 26 November 1951 for six years as R46379 in the Royal Australian Navy. He is described as a 5 foot 9¾ inch (1.77m) Methodist with brown hair and eyes. He was a labourer living at Amy's Track, Foster with Arthur H Cox his next of kin. Through out his service his character ranged from Good to VG and his Efficiency as Satisfactory. James served:

HMAS Sydney left Fremantle on 27 October 1953 for a second deployment to Korea, to support United Nations enforcement of the July 1953 armistice. This cruise entitled Peter to his Korean war medal.

An Ancestry Public Member's Tree records James David's wife as June Maria Hannus, who he married on 13 February 1965.

Right: James David Cox Source: Genevieve Healy née Forbes

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As a married man James David has only one address in the Electoral Role, which is in Hurlestone Park, Sydney, on the north bank of Cooks River. The Electoral Register suggests he continued his naval skills as a mechanic.

June Maria HANNUS, his future wife, is not recorded as a single woman in NSW or Victoria, suggesting she was under 21 when she was married.

Right: 36 Tennent Parade, Hurlstone Park, Sydney

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In 1963 James was living with his brother Jeffrey Owen.

On 13 February 1965 James David married June Maria HANNUS in Sydney. NSW BMD records her as HOMUS or LOW BEW, which is believed to be an area around Foster. (NSW BMD 1407/1965)

From 1972 to 1980 James and June lived at:

James David moved from Hurlstone Park around late 80s early 90s to 110 Noble Parade Dalmeny NSW, It is a beautiful spot along the coast. He died on 01 April 2017 in Moruya, NSW, 300km south of Sydney. There is no record of their death in 'Find a Grave'.

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Peter Herbert - Arthur herbert and Isabel's fifth child

Peter Herbert COX was born on 27 December 1933.

On 27 December 1951, his eighteenth birthday, Peter Herbert signed up for six year service in the Royal Australian Navy as R46371. He was 1.36m tall with brown eyes and hair. He had scars on his left leg and right hand.

Peter's first and most frequent posting, for about 2 years and 2 months, in total, was HMAS Cerberus, which was the navy's a primary training establishment. Until 1958, during Peter's service, it was the home of the Royal Australian Naval College based on Victoria's Mornington Peninsular.

He was a stoker for two years before his rating is change, around 26 September 1953, to stoker/mechanic. In three assessments his character was rate 'VG' and his efficiency as ' Sat'.

Right: Peter Herbert Cox as a young man

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Peter's first ship was the cruiser HMAS Australia. During his short spell the cruiser stayed in 'home waters'.
  • 13.06.52 > 02.11.52 HMAS Australia
Right: The cruiser HMAS Australia in 1939

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His next posting was to HMAS Sydney.

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From 31 August 1951l to early 1952, HMAS Sydney operated off the coast of Korea during the Korean War. Attached to the US fleet Sydney operated on nine or ten day patrols primarily on the west coast of Korea. Sydney's aircraft were used to strike North Korean units and supply lines. After the war there followed a round-Australia cruise. Sydney left Fremantle on 27 October 1953 for a second deployment to Korea, to support United Nations enforcement of the July 1953 armistice. This cruise entitled Peter to his Korean war medal.

Right: The aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney in 1949

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  • 09.11.56 > 11.03.57 HMAS Melbourne
Delays in construction and integrating the enhancements meant that the carrier was not commissioned until 1955. Melbourne never fired a shot in anger during her service career, having only peripheral, non-combat roles in relation to the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation, between 17 June 1948 and 31 July 1960, and the Vietnam War.

Right: The aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne in 1956

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On 15 May 1950, Quickmatch was paid off from her World War II role for a major refit in which she was converted to an anti-submarine frigate at Williamstown Naval Dockyard in Victoria. She was recommissioned on 23 September 1955, making Peter part of its first crew. Afterwards, she was deployed to Singapore as part of Australia's contribution to the Far East Strategic Reserve.

Right: The anti-submarine HMAS Quickmatch in 1949

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Peter Herbert was discharged from HMAS Sydney at an unspecified date, perhaps in 1958.

Peter's training attachments.

The Korean War was fought between 25 June 1950 and 27 July 1953. Peter was awarded the United Nations Service Medal Korea for his time spent on HMAS Sydney off the shores of Korea in the defence of South Korea. The medal was awarded for Korean service up until 27 July 1954.

Right: United Nations Korea Service Medal

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On leaving the navy Peter lived in Moe, 85km north of Foster, and worked as a labourer.

  • 1958, 7581, Cox, Peter Herbert, labourer, 65 Fowler St., Moe 3825, in Trafalgar a sub-division of McMillan
At the time of leaving the navy Peter married Patricia Dawn KEOGH in 1957.

Right: Peter Herbert Cox at his wedding in 1957 Source: Genevieve Healy née Forbes

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The couple first lived at 65 Fowler Street, Moe before moving to number 85, where they spent the rest of their recorded lives. In 2026 number 65 was a vacant lot.

Moe is 80km north of Foster. Having been the location of a small gold strike in 1852, Moe is now on a brown coal field, which provides fuel for power stations in the industrial LaTrobe valley, and a location for wool, diary products and vegetables.

Right: 85 Fowler Street, Moe

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This remained the same until Lesley Roslyn appears in the 1977 register:

and Steven Peter in the 1980 register.

Patricia died on 11 December 2025 and Peter Herbert in 2026.

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Jeffery Owen - Arthur herbert and Isabel's sixth child

Jeffery Owen was born on 19 March 1935 in Foster, Victoria. There is no obvious birth record in Victoria or NSW's birth records. There is some confusion as to the spelling of his name: 'Jeffery' appears to be the family spelling, whilst 'Jeffrey' appears in official documents.

At a date after March 1951 Australia implemented its first national service scheme. The 14th National Service Training Battalion was an Australian Army training unit based in Puckapunyal, Victoria. From August 1951, it trained young national servicemen called up for compulsory military service, for 90 days before continuing their training at their local army depot.

There is no obvious record of Jeffrey Owen COX's National Service in the National Archives of Australia.

Right: Jeffrey Owen Cox in the uniform of 14 National Service Training Battalion, aged 18+, (14/NSTB)
Source: Genevieve Healy née Forbes

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Australia's 1st National Service Scheme was implemented in March 1951 and Puckapunyal would become the epicentre for National Service Training in Victoria. The 14th, 15th and 20th National Service Training Battalions (NTSB) would cater for the thousands of National Servicemen who completed a 90-day course at Puckapunyal before continuing their training at their local Army depots. The first intake marched into Puckapunyal with Regular Army and K[orea]-Force soldiers in August 1951.
Dysart Siding was once again put into action with soldiers detraining at the siding for clothing and equipment issues before moving out to Puckapunyal by bus or truck. The base engineers worked overtime to construct additional sporting ovals, 30-yard rifle ranges in the side of Mt Certainty, installation of cool rooms and the renovation of sleeping huts for the trainees and regular soldiers. However, many National Servicemen and staff would be allocated to marquee tents as there was not enough permanent accommodation for the sudden influx of personnel.
In June 1953, Her Majesty the Queen’s coronation was celebrated at Puckapunyal with a 6.30 am service at Bucklers Hill on the training range. The 14th NSTB had been planning for this occasion for some time and had constructed a rock cairn on Bucklers Hill as part of the celebrations. The cairn was unveiled by Mrs Kappe, wife of the Commander of the National Service Brigade at Puckapunyal, Brigadier Charles Kappe. The cairn would become well known to all National Serviceman and permanent staff posted to Puckapunyal for the next 60 years as Bucklers Hill would become part of the field training area and the cross country running track. 1
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Above: Group portrait of 14/NSTB, comprising National Servicemen from Bairnsdale, Sale, and Traralgong 1955-1956 probably at Puckapunyal Camp, Victoria. Intakes were recorded on 8,9,10 January 1952 (Trove)

A newspaper article, from The Advocate, records details of the National Service Battalion training units at Puckapunyal.

NEW ARMY'S LEADERS ARE "HAND" PICKED - MELBOURNE, Monday. - Only commanders with the clearest insight into the needs, requirements and problems confronting the newly-enlisted soldier, particularly youthful members, had been selected to command units and formations under the National Service training scheme.
This was stated to-day by the Minister for the Army (Mr. J. Francis) who added that, besides looking after the physical needs and Army training of the youths in the call- up, officers and instructors would be concerned also with their personal needs.
All of the National Service unit officers would be men who had been through the same phase of Army life and training as the young men undergoing the training, and, therefore a would be conversant with their needs, not only from a military viewpoint, but would be pleased to help them with their personal approach to Army life.
Each individual trainee would have the privilege of seeking assistance and guidance from men of long experience who had passed through the same ground, found the same problems and learned how to overcome them.
These things had been considered in hand-picking officers to take charge of the youths' training and welfare, said Mr. Francis.
No parent need have the slightest qualms on their sons' entering camp, and he was sure that the youths themselves would find their initial 98 days' camp an experience which benefited them both physically and in outlook. Most, he said, would enjoy the experience.
In Southern Command (Victoria) Colonel C. H. Kappe is to be commander of the 1st Australian Infantry Brigade Group, which includes the 14th and 15th National Service Battalions. Lieut. Colonel C. Ives will be commanding officer of the 14th National Service Battalion, while Lieut. Colonel G. R. Warfe will command the 15th National Service Battalion. 2
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In 1963 Jeffrey was living with his brother James David in NSW.

From 1977 to 1980

On 28 December 1963, Jeffrey (sic) Owen married Majken Wellejus FORTH in Marrickville, NSW (NSW BMD 26621/1963). Majken surname is also recorded as Swenson. The family knew her as May.

There is no obvious record of Majken FORTH or SWENSON in the passenger arrivals National Archives of Australia, Victoria or New South Wales (Ancestry)'s . There is no obvious record for Majken FORTH or SWENSON in the Victoria or New South Wales Electoral Rolls.

Jeffrey Owen died on 18 June 2022 in Yarram, Victoria..

Source:

Brian Edward - Arthur Herbert and Isabel's seventh child

Brian was born in 1936 and married Sheila JERVICE in October 1971.

Between 1958 and 1967 Brian Edward COX was living in Amey's Track.

In 1977-80 Brian was married to Sheila and there was a change of address:

Sheila died on 07 August 1998 in Mortlake. When Brian died on 18 April 2000, his probate recorded him as a plant operator.

Right: 39 Nelson Street, Foster		 41kB jpg
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Betty Margaret - Arthur Herbert and Isabel's eight child

Betty Margaret was born in Foster, Victoria on 20 January 1939.

On 12 December 1959 Betty Margaret married Emanuel John 'Mannie' FORBES (Vic BMD 20324/1959) in Moe, Victoria.

From 1962-1968 the Forbes are recorded as lived on Princes Highway, Newborough.

At sometime before 1972 the family's address changed to

The family lived here for about 17 years.

Google maps show that Narracan Drive is parallel to Prince Freeway, which bypassed Moe and Newborough. Princes Highway became Narracan Drive. 42 Narracan Drive is now a green space. It is possible that 42 was renumbered to 136.

Right: 136 Narracan Drive

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The family move to 6 Avro Close, Moe, 'a lovely new house' built by ' Mannie' Forbes.

Right: 6 Avro Court, Moe
Source: Genevieve Healy née Forbes

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Emmanuel John died in Fitzroy, Victoria on 20 October 2000 and is interred in Moe Memorial Park Cemetery Park.

Right: Emmanuel Forbes 'in his younger days'
Source: Genevieve Healy née Forbes

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Betty Margaret died on 19 October 2017 at Ringwood, Victoria and is interred in Moe Memorial Park Cemetery Park, plot NW-B2--19/20.

Right: Betty Margaret Forbes née Cox
Source: Genevieve Healy née Forbes

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Faye Wilma - Arthur Herbert and Isabel's ninth child

Faye Wilma was born 1943.

In 1961, Faye married George Russell HAINES (Vic BMD 20313/1961) who died in 2022. There is no obvious record of Faye Wilma's death.

As a single man:

Between 1967-1972 the couple lived in Foster at George's address:

Around 1977 the couple moved to Cranbourne where they lived from 1977 to 1980.

Trove reports: On Wednesday 24 November 1971 page 46 of The Australian Woman's Weekly announced that Mrs Faye Haines, 32, of Station Road, Foster 3960 was one of the 950, of the 44,580 entries in the Great Television Memory Competition, who got all the correct answers in the magazines contest.

Graham Charles - Arthur Herbert and Isabel's tenth child

Graham Charles COX was born in 1946. In 1968 he married Pauline Margaret COLLIS.

From 1972-80 the couple lived in:

Mine Road runs parallel to Stockyard Creek where, in 1870, a small gold rush occurred. It was initially a resting place for drovers travelling from Port Albert to Western Port.

Right: 1 Mine Road, Foster

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The couple had two boys: Simon Craig and Matthew John.

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Footnote

With thanks to Genevieve Healy née Forbes, Arthur Herbert's granddaughter.

Access to naval service records are available at: National Archives of Australia (Accessed: 03 August 2026). In the data boxes type:

[Name search] - Type in name, [Category of record] - Naval personnel records , [Service number] - If known Click on the [Digital record] tab.

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This page was created by Richard Crompton
and maintained by Chris Glass		 4kB jpg Version A2
Updated 24 August 2026