Edward Henry Maddox
Tuesday 27 August 1918
Army Rank: LieutenantNumber: Regiment: 18th Signal Company Royal EngineersBorn: 1891Died: 27th August, 1918Age: 27Cause of Death: Killed in action Commemorated at Hereford Cathedral School, Hereford Cathedral and Becourt Military Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt.Son of John and Mary Ann Maddox, of Hereford; husband of Ethel Elizabeth Maddox, of School House, Letton.Hereford Cathedral School magazine, the Herefordian, records his death and notes:-“Son of Mr & Mrs J G Maddox of 2 Bedford Street Hereford and husband of Ethel Elizabeth Maddox (nee Richards). He left a wife and baby.He met with his death at the hands of a German sniper, and his grave was situated about six miles from his brother, Corporal T Maddox, of the Civil Service Riffles, who was killed in 1916. Major C B Hibbert, who was with him at the time, in a most touching and appreciative letter, speaks of ‘one and all being sensible not only of his splendid qualities as a man, but also of his wonderful efficiency in his particular role. He points out that he and Maddox were reconnoitring the front line up in the front of France (newly captured ground) with the object of arranging a system of signal communication with the rear. After everything had been settled, they were returning when a German sniper lurking in the wood they were in, shot him and killed him. The Major adds he was a most gallant officer and loved by all. He was always fearless and I had decided to recommend him for a Military Cross’. Capt. S E Powell also wrote “He was such a noble fellow, loved by his men and brother officers”. He was 27 years of age, and joined the army in August, 1914 first associated with the Civil Service Rifles and being transferred to the Royal Engineers. He was formally employed at the Hereford Post Office and then he obtained a good civil service appointment in London.”The December, 1918 edition of The Herefordian included his obituary:Lieut. E. H. Maddox, of the Royal Engineers, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Maddox, 2, Bedford Street, Hereford, and husband of Mrs Maddox, who lives with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richards, Winsor Street. The deceased met with his death at the hands of a German sniper, and his grave is situated about six miles distant from that of his brother, Corporal T. Maddox, of the Civil Service Rifles, who was killed in 1916. Major C. B. Hibbert, who was with him at the time, in a most touching and appreciative letter speaks of one and all being sensible not only of his splendid qualities as a man, but also of his wonderful efficiency in his particular role. He points out that he and Lieut. Maddox were reconnoitring the line up in front in France (newly captured ground), with the object of arranging a system of signal communication with the rear. After everything had been settled, they were returning when a German sniper, lurking in the wood they were in, shot him and killed him almost instantaneously. He was buried near Becourt Chateau, close to Becordel, about two miles from Albert. The Major adds: ‘He was a most gallant officer, and loved by all. He was almost fearless, and I had decided to recommend him for a Military Cross.’ Capt. S.E. Powell also writes: ‘He was such a noble fellow, loved by his men and his brother officers.’He was 27 years of age, and joined the Army in August, 1914, first being associated with the Civil Service Riffles, and being transferred to the Royal Engineers. He was formerly employed at Hereford Post Office, and in the year before the outbreak of the war obtained a good Civil Service appointment in London. He leaves a widow with a baby.