ARCHIVES
BEAUTIFUL
TROPHY IS UNIQUE IN SCOTCH ’ S COLLECTION
LEFT : HAROLD COX ’ S OLD
COLLEGIANS ’ CUP .
TOP , LEFT : DETAIL FROM
THE OLD COLLEGIANS ’
CUP TOP , MIDDLE : DONOR , MARY
COX .
TOP , RIGHT : HAROLD COX AS A
LIEUTENANT IN THE
AIF
HAROLD COX ’ S 1893 TROPHY RETURNS TO SCOTCH
On 14 October 2021 , working from home during the depths of Victoria ’ s sixth COVID-19 lockdown , I received a message that brightened my day . Mary Cox was offering Harold Cox ’ s 1893 trophy to Scotch : an offer that was very gladly accepted .
Born at Emerald Hill ( South Melbourne ) on 26 January 1875 , Harold was the only one of three brothers to attend Scotch , from 1889 to 1891 . His brother , Erle Cox , attended Melbourne Grammar School in 1886 , and Erle ’ s grandson , Geoffrey , married Mary , the trophy ’ s donor .
Before the advent at Scotch in 1917 of Houses and therefore House Athletics , Scotch held an annual Sports Meeting . As was usual , the one held on 17 November 1893 was at the MCG . Then – as now – there were events for Old Scotch Collegians . In 1893 they were 100 , 300 and 440-yard races . Harold won the latter two , and , with 10 points , won the Old Collegians ’ Cup .
The unusual but beautiful trophy is unique in Scotch ’ s trophy collection , and is typical of the quality trophies awarded in that era . It unfortunately lacks any information about its maker , and it is unclear whether its current colouring and finish is original .
Harold served as Company Quartermaster in the 5th Victorian Rifles in the Boer War , and then in the AIF from 1915 to 1916 . Mary said that Harold – a childless bachelor – decided to enlist so that a man with children did not have to risk his life . Harold served at Gallipoli , and was a lieutenant when he died of wounds at Fromelles on 20 July 1916 .
For more information , visit Scotch ’ s World War I Commemorative Website at https :// www . scotch . vic . edu . au / ww1 / first / coxH . htm
106 Great Scot