COX, Gerald Cleeve (1911-1997)
Gerald Cleeve Cox was born on 28 November 1911 at Dannievirke, New Zealand, the son of Cecil Cleeve and Eleanor May nee Keeling.
Gerald was enrolled at Geelong College on 6 June 1923. His address at the time was the Bank of Autralasia, Geelong. He left in May 1927. He had previously been a student at Warrnambool SS. Gerald featured in several of the sports events at the Preparatory School Sports. He came 4th in Athletics in 1923 but in 1925 became the Under 14 Swimming Champion of 1925. At that year's Preparatory School Swimming Sports on 23 February 1925, he was 1st in the Under 14 50 yds handicap, 1st in the Under 14 25 yds and 2nd in the Under 14 Diving. In 1925, he was also a member of the College Athletics Team. In 1924, he was awarded a Special Prize when in the Lower IVth Form
He was managing 'Delatite' at Mansfield for the Ritchie family, before serving (No. V371499) as a Private in the 16th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) from 22 March 1941. He subsequently transferred on 24 March 1944 to the RAAF to serve (No. 449423) as a Flying Officer. He trained at 6 ITS (Bradfield Park), 1 AOS (Evans Head), 1 WAGS (Ballarat), 2 AOS (Nhill), and 7 OTU (Tocumwal).
On 14 December 1944 Gerald Cox and Barbara Graves were married. They had three children: Anthony Cleeve Cox(1946- ); Eobert Cleeve Cox (1948- ); and Caroline Ann Cox(1950- ).
He was discharged from the RAAF on 17 October 1945.
Gerald died at Mansfield on 11 August 1997.
Sources: Pegasus August 1923 p6 - Salvete; Pegasus August 1927 - Valete; Geelong Collegian at the Second World War compiled by James Affleck p174 (citing The Pegasus; Australian War Memorial; National Archives; Photo Barbara Cox).