Former RAF airman dies aged 90

A FORMER RAF airman and long-serving Boots employee has died, aged 90.

Claude Cox was born on November 15, 1921, and grew up in Radford with his parents and younger brother, Peter.

He earned a scholarship to High Pavement School and left aged 14 to begin working in the packing department at Boots, in Beeston.

He signed up to join the Royal Air Force in April 1942 and was enlisted to 76 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, working with Bomber Command.

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The squadron frequently went on bombing runs to Berlin during the Second World War.

Mr Cox was then drafted to 405 Squadron and the Pathfinder unit, which flew ahead of Lancaster Bombers, dropping markers for their targets.

His daughter, Christine King, said: "He went on 63 bombing raids, which was a huge amount. Most people did 30 or so.

"He had a lot of close shaves. On one occasion, he leant back to stretch while over the target maps and a bullet flew right past where his head had been."

After the war, he continued working with the RAF, carrying out test flights, but left in April 1946.

Mr Cox married Anne Pearson, at St Martin's Church, in Broxtowe, in 1948. The couple met at the Cocked Hat pub, in Aspley.

They lived with Claude's parents in Ainsbury Circus, Broxtowe, before moving to Moor Road, Strelley.

The couple then settled in Thistledown Road, Clifton, with Mr Cox working in the international division at Boots until his retirement at the age of 62.

He played a major role in helping to set up the production of Boots goods in India.

After retiring, Mr and Mrs Cox moved to Fairmaid Grove, Clifton, where they lived together until Mrs Cox died in 1993, aged 71.

In January this year, Mr Cox moved to Taunton to be closer to his family.

He died on September 26.

Mrs King, now 62 and of Somerset, said: "I used to work in India, helping children, and dad came out and opened a hospital.

"That was wonderful.

"He considered the children who were part of my work in India to be his grandchildren, and they considered him to be their grandad.

"He was a lovely man."

A funeral service for Mr Cox takes place at Wilford Hill Crematorium on Tuesday, October 16, at 2.20pm.