On This Day, 19 December 1918

Evening Despatch 

Thursday 19 December 1918

A BIRMINGHAM V.C.

INFLUENZA STOPS VISIT HOME OF CORPORAL WILCOX.

Corporal Alfred Wilcox, Oxford and Bucks Light infantry, who was expected to arrive to-day from Sunderland, where has been in hospital suffering from wounds in the leg. He has made good recovery from his wounds, and was looking forward to 12 days’ leave when he developed influenza, which has caused his return home to Birmingham to be delayed.

Corporal Wilcox, V.C., who won his distinction by capturing four enemy guns is a native of Aston, and is one of five soldier brothers, of whom three have been wounded. He had about 11 years’ service in the Volunteers and Territorials before enlisting in March, 1915. He had come safely through some heavy fighting until he was wounded a few days before the armistice.

Three of his brothers are in the South Staffords, and one in the City Battalion of the Warwicks. His wife and children live in Small Heath, and his sister in Aston.