Succession’s Brian Cox Reclaims His Grandfather’s Legacy | Finding Your Roots | Ancestry®

Brian Cox, known as the Roy family patriarch in HBO’s Succession, learns about the incredible service of his grandfather in WWI, unknown to him for most of his life. visitancestry.com/3LrIvaq
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[@AncestryUS]

Brian Cox learned his grandfather’s wartime experiences had been hidden for over 100 years. Have you uncovered WWI stories in your family?

[@cannyexplorer5357]

Yes I found a third cousin once removed. He had been lost to the present day family. His was such a sad story and forgotten on his home town ww1 memorial too. I set out to unfold that story. It is now on many remembrance sites and on my ancestry tree. John Cooper Sumner you gave your life for your country and I remember you every anniversary of your death and on Remembrance Sunday in the U.K. RIP.

[@JohnSullivan-ht4ib]

Yes. I knew that my Gramps James Sullivan was in the US Army in WWI, but I did not know that his Uncle Patrick was in the Australian Army at the same time.

[@melissaford717]

Yes. My paternal grandfather was a WWI veteran. He was in the U.S. Army and a firefighter.

[@lauriefields3523]

Brian Cox goes from movie star to just a kid saying "My Ma."

[@ecaldwell9]

Yeah. He did the same thing in a CBS Mornings interview when he referenced his “daddy”. You can hear this lost/sad little boy in him.

[@neatofication]

I felt like crying seeing this. It was so emotional and showed his great love for his mother 🥺❤️

[@garymcatear822]

All Glaswegians call their mothers 'ma' right up until their last breath.

[@upurkilt7246]

​@@garymcatear822brian is from Dundee .

[@Skammee]

All those soldiers classified as being drunks , well maybe that is how they coped with seeing their friends torn apart by shrapnel screaming as they died . Glad that Mr. Cox learned about his grandfather .

[@stephanieyee9784]

My great grandfather was one of those men who came back from the "Great War" a changed man. He apparently went from being a lovely man, good husband and father to being a drunk and universally disliked by all his family. That is his legacy. Sad but true.

[@tjmul3381]

For so many who have survived the horrors of combat, even in these more "enlightened" times, the invisible wounds we carry, if not diagnosed and treated properly, continue to lay waste to our lives and to contaminate the lives of our loved ones, who can never fully understand the hows and whys. Desperate attempts at self-medication, with alcohol and drugs, all too often leads to addiction and then isolation, divorce, homelessness and for thousands of Vets (each and every year) the ultimate disconnection; suicide.

[@tjmul3381]

@Nicky L So, your point is...the trauma of fighting in the trenches of ww1 had little to do with his alcoholism? It was because he lived in Dundee?

[@n0body550]

@@tjmul3381 tbf i’ve been to dundee, it would turn me alcoholic 😂

[@kellyshomemadekitchen]

I could not agree more

[@stephanieyee9784]

This is a wonderful tribute to James McCann's short life. The real and raw emotion on Brian's face and voice choked me up.

[@AncestryUS]

It's difficult to not get emotional watching Brian process and learn about his grandfather's achievements in the military. It was such a special moment.

[@aronsium4714]

Same here. Have to get rid of these onions

[@aronsium4714]

@Nicky L Yes

[@aronsium4714]

@Nicky L I didn't miss your point but I just don't think that you're right. Brian Cox is for staggering 6 decades in the game and now he popped up here to deliver a performance? Why would he🤷🏿

[@pilsplease7561]

My 3x great grandfather who served in the civil war, had a very interesting life and died at only 44 which was not old back then. His civil war record gets very weird is shockingly detailed then just ends and he doesnt pop up on any records at all untill he moves to texas like 8 years after the war and then dies not that long after the war within 15 years of it ending. Sort of makes me wonder why did his service just end with no paper trail why did he vanish and then why did he pop back up out of nowhere.

[@angelaweglarska8428]

My grandfather was in the same regiment as Brian’s and suffered the same gas and was discharged through Ill Health and had the same drink problem I’m from Dundee too his name was William smith x

[@AncestryUS]

Wow! It's so eye-opening to hear all of the similarities between your grandfather's experiences and Brian's grandfather's experiences. Thanks for sharing, Angela.

[@angelaweglarska8428]

@@AncestryUS I would like to have a chat with Brian if he agrees to reference and match our similarities I do have a high regard for privacy when talking about our families .

[@jonnylumberjack6223]

Given the state of Scottish politics, I don't know when this will next occur, but if there are future Indy for Scotland marches and rally's etc, good chance Mr Cox will be there if he's not working at the time. I've met him at a couple. Lovely man. Turn up with photos and grab him, he's very approachable and I'm sure he'd love to chat!

[@angelaweglarska8428]

@@jonnylumberjack6223 I will make a point of that thanks for that , I just need to be alerted when it does happen and hopefully I’ll be recovered from my knee surgery x

[@jonnylumberjack6223]

@@angelaweglarska8428 Should have said, was in Glasgow I met him. The big events in George Sq. Was easy to hand around near the back of the stage and speak to the famous folks in attendance.

[@Darkmountaindweller]

He’s a hero that went through a lot,probably saw a lot of his men,his friends and the boys and men he trained die horribly, and he hid his medals because they reminded him of all their faces, and probably drank to forget.

[@janetslicer3637]

Always always, always ... the incredible story teller, my hero, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

[@jimbrand2806]

Ditto!

[@AncestryUS]

What a moving exchange this was between Dr. Gates and Brian Cox. So glad that you enjoyed watching, Janet!

[@pixiebeauchamp482]

My 2x great grandad was in the Royal Highlanders during WW1. He died just a few months before the war ended. His name is on a war memorial in Rothesay. His brothers served also and both survived but were discharged. I managed to find one of the brothers discharge records on Find My Past and apparently he had malaria. The war was such a tragedy for all the lives lost and lives changed forever. ❤

[@conorsmith8551]

It’s amazing when you uncover things like this , I learned my great grandad was in the royal Irish rifles , served in galipolli and salonika . His cousin sadly died in belgium , he was in the royal Irish fusiliers but a great legacy they left behind and I’ll always be grateful for their sacrifice

[@ABC-dw7pe]

This is such a similar story. My great grandfather was gassed in WW1 in Scottish Regiments and went back to fight again when he got better. He died only a couple years after the war after my grandmother was born. Similar to this he suffered from respiratory problems for the rest of his life. He won the Medal Militaire from the French for saving injured men on the battlefield. What balls those men had.

[@exdus235]

More so than others, this was such a revealing and tender episode.

[@AncestryUS]

It was such a powerful moment to see Brian realize and react to the news that his grandfather was a war hero.

[@AncestryUS]

We're so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

[@Native-Kitty]

I saw this episode and Brian Cox is such an awesome human being ❤❤

[@AncestryUS]

It was incredibly moving to see David's reaction after learning all of his grandfather’s accolades.

[@helensanderson7092]

My Grandfather was in the same regiment and went into no man's land over and over to rescue his mates

[@carolannesigdel1793]

My great grandfather also from Dundee served in the black watch same time died of the Spanish flu so did his oldest son what a shame for they young men knee deep in mud trying to fight must have been horrendous 😢

[@shellybaby5th]

So moving. I'm glad I watched this.

[@AncestryUS]

That emotional ending was phenomenal to see. We're glad you watched as well, Shelly!

[@AncestryUS]

We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to share with us!

[@Tamaresque]

My grandfather, also from Dundee, was also in The Black Watch. Luckily / unluckily for him, early on in WWI he was shot in the fingers of his right hand, and gangrene took the hand and half of his forearm. He wore a wooden hand replacement, covered with a leather glove, and it had a spring-loaded thumb. I've heard that his arm is now in a museum in Aberdeen!

[@robertmurry1442]

you made cox cry... this is a legitimate service...

[@justphilly8983]

I really cried with him when he cried 😩😩omg

[@nitramsonjack4741]

I love history. Especially when it is about family.

[@AncestryUS]

It's such a pleasure to watch people get educated and discover new things about their family history.

[@AncestryUS]

We're thrilled to hear it, Nitram! Thanks for sharing with us!

[@BLzBob.7268]

I too did some research into some ancestors military service. It was a real eye opener, both good and bad, as many stories told were inaccurate. Relatives always tell you what they would like you to believe. But I believe, the people who actually experienced these events would prefer we knew the truth, good or bad. Only then can they 'rest in peace'. And only then can we say 'lest we forget'. As you cannot 'forget' somebody who you really never knew much about. I thank this team for their important work. ❤

[@AncestryUS]

It truly is our pleasure to not only share these stories but to assist everyone in learning more about their roots and family history. Thank YOU for your support, Bill.

[@BLzBob.7268]

@@AncestryUS Your acknowledgement of my comment means a lot to me. Thank you. X

[@ramonasp4989]

It was people like your grandfather who paved the way for Freedom from Tyranny, I am sorry the doctors of his time did not know what affects in the mind war caused , or how to help them. My great uncle was in WWII and his terrors lead him to alcoholism, to drown it out. I was told he had passed that in the trenches he watched his best friend dye slowly while they were pined down. My Uncle recieved a Purple Heart and 3 Bronze stars. I ordered his records and medals and they came the year he died were buried with him. I felt he deserved that and a Hero's funeral. He was always a kind man, but his war pains destroyed his peace.

[@DanJackson1977]

WW1 was arguably not so much paving the way for anything as it was a perpetual meat grinder setting the stage for an even bigger meat grinder.

[@davekeating.]

Don't blame the doctors. Blame the warmongering politicans

[@annchristine47]

Reminds me how brave my grandfather with the rest of the heroes.

[@AncestryUS]

Thanks so much for taking the time to commemorate your grandfather, Ann. It would be great to learn more of his story!

[@iMertin]

My great granda fought in the Gordon highland regiment Think it was due to his home being Shetland and a very good seaman

[@Peggyanns]

The war to end all wars….if only. My grandfather was at the Argonne Forest. He never spoke about it.

[@BlueHooloovoo]

Makes you wonder who these soldiers would've become if it wasn't for the war? So many passed early due to the trauma of experience like Brian's grandfather through alcoholism. Very sad to hear these stories of trauma and pain.

[@kathyastrom1315]

Military records, especially older ones, are hard to find online, although more are being digitized every day. I am currently trying to verify the military careers of two of my 5th great granduncles, Benjamin and George Goodwin. The family histories I am finding online have their regiment, a Canadian one from the War of 1812, as well as the story that they went on to fight at Waterloo. I just reached out to the provincial archives for assistance this week. I hope that they can at least verify the Canadian regiment. I did ask if they could look at local newspapers to see if there is any mention of the two of them fighting at Waterloo. There are two examples each of men with their names receiving Waterloo Military Honors medals, given to everyone who fought there for the British, but those records just have the soldier’s name and regiment, no other distinguishing information. I think that local media coverage might be my only way of finding that out.

[@sr2291]

FamilySearch search images name of town or county military records.

[@AncestryUS]

It sounds like you're heading in the right direction, Kathy! You've already discovered some very interesting details about your family, wishing you the best of luck on the rest of your journey!

[@janet8418]

Thanks for sharing

[@AncestryUS]

Thanks for watching, Jane!

[@AncestryUS]

We hope you enjoyed it, Jane! Are you interested in learning more about your family tree? The article below will address what you can expect from Ancestry. Please let us know if you have any questions and we'd be happy to help! support.ancestry.com/s/article/Why-Use-Ancestry

[@jeannemoore6610]

I love watching these episodes of discovery!

[@AncestryUS]

We're so glad you enjoy them, Jeanne! Are you interested in learning more about your own family tree? The article below will address what you can expect from Ancestry. Please let us know if you have any questions and we'd be happy to help! support.ancestry.com/s/article/Why-Use-Ancestry

[@lasting_legacies]

This was incredible! Thank you Ancestry for this special spotlight. Who else is excited for Succession Season 4?! We sure are.

[@AncestryUS]

This is the perfect way to get ready for season 4! We're so happy you enjoyed this, thanks for watching.

[@saritaschwedes8393]

amazingcto have the “diaries” that were written. 🌸

[@Brian-os9qj]

Fun and interesting and very moving. War is hell.

[@XanosKnyghtshade]

I wish we had your team when we went looking for my wife's grandmother's family. It's almost like she never existed at all..

[@AncestryUS]

Hi there, Xanos! Thanks so much for stopping by! We're glad you enjoyed this clip from Finding Your Roots and are terribly sorry to hear your wife's grandmother's family has not been easy to find. If you're still searching we've got a guide with helpful tips for overcoming roadblocks linked below. If you have any questions feel free to reach out again and we'll be happy to help! support.ancestry.com/s/article/Overcoming-Roadblocks-in-Your-Research

[@redbarchetta8782]

Very cool. One of my favorite actors too.

[@jluc9456]

❤this is so heartwarming

[@AncestryUS]

We're so glad you enjoyed it! Are you interested in learning more about your own family tree? The article below will address what you can expect from Ancestry. Please let us know if you have any questions and we'd be happy to help! support.ancestry.com/s/article/Why-Use-Ancestry

[@ultrafree9597]

BEAUTIFUL!

[@liliannar.3705]

Beautiful.

[@ronnybehncke2453]

DNA DNS before and after is endless💖😭🥳

[@lollolowski8956]

Yea next episode!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@AncestryUS]

Loving the enthusiasm! Hope you enjoyed this episode.

[@upurkilt7246]

My granny went lived on the sane street as brian and went to school with him from 1954 till 1962 at St Mary's Forebank Primary School and St Michael's Junior Secondary School in dundee.. she aways sais he was a cracking guy

[@AncestryUS]

Oh that is cool, UPurKILT! Thanks for sharing this with us!

[@jamezguard]

beautiful

[@Echo4Bravo]

It's cool to see Hannibal Lecter get emotional.

[@serephita]

My moms paternal grandfather - who came to the US illegally from Sweden - was an officer in the US Navy which was how he gained citizenship. I found his draft card, both of my grandfathers, and my great-uncles on Ancestry

[@AncestryUS]

What an amazing discovery! We're so happy that we could assist in helping to connect you to this part of your family’s history. Have you made any other interesting discoveries?

[@serephita]

@@AncestryUS My 13th great-grandmother (moms maternal line) was Marchioness Helena Gorges, who was best friends with Elizabeth Tudor, and my third-great grandmother could have been twins with my grandmother because they looked so much alike.

[@AncestryUS]

@@serephita Wow, that's incredible!

[@dennisjenelius9934]

How do you do my fellow Swede?:)

[@JACKOTACO]

Were they able to find that picture he was talking about?

[@Iceland874]

Looks like my mom’s dad’s family- American Cox since 1700s.

[@yourdasellsavon9928]

Is that James Mcavoy at 1:21, 2nd in from the right

[@anyonymswede]

Is this the actor who plays Daphne’s dad in Frasier? I recognise the voice?

[@ladyporter2851]

Yes

[@GenealogyGrandmother]

I wish I knew how to find if my ancestors received any metals or service accommodations.

[@gayleralan]

I also have the 1914-1915 medal from my granddad

[@Moredread25]

Very interesting. They did a good job couching those medals which everybody got at the end of the war and the discharge medal as to being about heroism.

[@roxytocin_216]

❤

[@sheilawilliams5439]

My grandfather was an original Devil Dog.

[@aldiaz5140]

At 3:56 - I was fully expecting a Logan Roy “F*** Off!” Remark!

[@TheGabriel12341]

My great grandfather henry gill born in missouri... Was a wwi veteran... My father did had zero relation with him despite my father was alive in the last days of henry's life... I searched his draft in familysearch... He was middle height, blond hair and medium sized... I dont know anything about his experiences neither anything... Only that he moved west and went to wwi

[@skydoesthingsfan]

I wanna be in this show

[@cleargleam8449]

I need to be able to look-up my recently deceased "Uncle" who has been "Family my entire life, but there is no documentation. I know his parents names, but if *you* don't think he is family, I can't even look for him. Notifying his blood relatives is a duty that has fallen to me. What do you suggest?

[@AncestryUS]

Hi there and thank you for reaching out to us. We are eager to clarify this for you. Please be advised that our record collections are really more intended for use in genealogical research and so records about the living or recently deceased are generally not available through Ancestry. The primary reason for this is because privacy laws in most countries and states prohibit us from publishing certain records until a certain number of years have passed. The number of years can vary widely depending on what state or country you're searching for records in. We are very sorry for any disappointment this might cause.

[@cleargleam8449]

@Nicky L North Carolina, United States of America -- we met first when he was 19 and I was born in the Panama Canal Zone.

[@capie44]

Your Mother, Brian, IS seeing what you're seeing and has long since learned this information and more! She's not DEAD, she's with whomever she wishes and can be with your Father learning yet more. For which, your Mother will be able to chat with you when your time comes. .

[@KentPetersonmoney]

Be interesting if Vin Diesel showed up on this show. He never met his father which could make things interesting

[@DETROIT1948]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@celticguy197531]

he got Pip, Squeak and Alfred as they were given to almost all the veterans of the Commonwealth who served in WW1 and also the disability badge which showed that they were wounded for their country as in WW1 there was a lot of hate and prejudice against men who did not serve examples being men who were injured being given "White Feathers" and being shunned from Society.

[@celticguy197531]

@Nicky L exactly and also it shows that his Grandfather was transferred over to the Gordon Highlanders as well

[@scottishsuzuki8132]

National treasure 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@kakaroto3419]

Same line as Courtney Cox ?

[@1Devin4andAhalfDevonsNaDog]

Logan

[@patrickjohnson7537]

Those medals were standard issue

[@guadalupediaz7772]

I only wish I could afford to get my family history done for me. G😢

[@the1truth420]

It's free it you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[@marinabiritz4938]

hello, I just thought i would mention I was adopted and I would like to find my bialogical family. I'm ukrainian

[@AncestryUS]

Hi Марина! Thanks so much for getting in touch and for sharing your goals with us. We're always willing to help out in anyway we can so please feel free to call on us over at our support center should you have any specific queries : support.ancestry.com/s/ . In the meantime, you can find strategies and suggestions that have assisted countless researchers in achieving such goals within this dedicated guide: support.ancestry.com/s/article/Finding-Biological-Family. Thanks for checking out a little of Brian's family history too and best of luck in your own search.🌳

[@marinabiritz4938]

@@AncestryUS ok thank you, I'm not really expecting it to be easy, even though I have a lot of information on them. Considering the on going war in Ukraine.

[@dookiepost]

Had literally no idea Brian Cox was Scottish

[@Sean-jc6cu]

He's Scottish but actually Irish in origin

[@Sean-jc6cu]

@@beverly9 And yet he still recognizes he comes from Ireland.

[@Sean-jc6cu]

@@beverly9 Ancestors were still Irish

[@Sean-jc6cu]

@@beverly9 I'd only describe you as one 😂

[@richrobson220]

We’ll that must mean Connor McGregor the fighter is Scottish then, not Irish using your logic!!!

[@seanmcnamara1267]

And what were these men fighting for?

[@Josh-hv2ze]

Their kingdoms something that seems rather outdated today

[@francoisclouatre7464]

He look exactly like Colonel Sanders

[@tlo42058]

Two lines cox here

[@peteraldridge5210]

My granfather died at 50, ww1 vet alcoholic

[@Gogettor]

HES the oldest child!

[@shaunsteele6926]

he's starting to look like Colonel Sanders

[@thelastchance6113]

Shenanigans!

[@AncestryUS]

A word that has become synonymous with Brian Cox over the years!

[@DonKeecock]

Why didn't he just use his "white privilege" to fix things?

[@QPRTokyo]

Brian Cox is anti British. I have never liked the guy.

[@erincaitlin1655]

Duh !!!!

[@baldy3405]

So am I 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🍻

[@katiemp670]

what scottish person isn't? not to mention the rest of the world our country colonised

[@seamasquigley298]

Get a grip

[@nicolad8822]

@@katiemp670Referenda would beg to differ.

[@carmie9400]

Goodness me I’m in tears watching this! So moving…🥹

[@rapportpublishing]

All men to ever put on. Are uniform. No one will ever know that that these men pay for all of. God bless your grandfather.Mr.Cox

[@Onnioni1]

Something different for a change.

[@cdeanneeckles]

Thanks for sharing

[@AncestryUS]

Of course! Thanks for watching, Cindy. Hope you enjoyed it!

[@AncestryUS]

We hope you enjoyed it, Cindy! Have a lovely day!