Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Cox, a labourer, born 1849 in Hinckley, Leicestershire and his wife Emma Cox (nee Warner, married in the 3rd quarter of 1873 in the Hinckley, Leicestershire district), born 1852 in Hinckley. John James Cox was born in the 1st quarter of 1881 in St. Mary’s, Hinckley, his siblings were, Mary Ann, a hosiery trade worker, born 1873, Lizzie, a hosiery trade worker, born 1876, Selina, a hosiery trade worker, born 1878, Oliver, born 1882, Caroline, born 1884 and Thomas S., born 1886, all his siblings were born in Hinckley, in April 1891 the family home was at Brick Kiln Street, Hinckley. In March 1901 John was serving as a regular soldier with the Leicestershire Regiment. In April 1911 John was serving as a Corporal with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Fort Saint George, Madras, India. On the 19th December 1911 John married Lilian Beatrice Harris in the Hinckley, Leicestershire district.
John attested into the Militia to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 27th November 1897 in Hinckley, Leicestershire. He gave his place of birth as St. Mary’s, Hinckley, Leicestershire, his age as 17 years and 11 months and his trade or calling as shoe finisher. He gave his present employer as Messrs. Hopkins, Factory Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire. He gave his current place of residence as 9, Druid Street, St. Mary’s, Hinckley, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he was unmarried. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5¼ inches in height, weighed 104 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 33½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had blue eyes. It was noted that he had a scar on the outer angle of each eyebrow. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Militia on the 29th November 1897 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 6465 on the 27/11/1897. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) and commenced 49 days drill on the 27/11/1897. Transferred to the Regular Army (Leicestershire Regiment) on the 12/2/1898.
The War Diary records: 22 May-15 - B Coy withdrew from V1 having left a bombing party and a platoon to support it to hold this flank. By 11.30am they rejoined the Battalion in front line. A Coy moved from breastwork north of FACTORY to the breastworks occupied by our supports. From 5.30 to 7.30pm enemy put in about 70 large shells about HQ’s and support trenches. During the night all bridges over the ditch in our immediate front were withdrawn. The platoon of B Coy at V1 was withdrawn to our support trenches after relief by the HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY.
On Saturday June 5th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – According to the list of casualties, among officers reported from General Headquarters, under date May 22nd. Second Lieutenant J. J. Cox, 2nd Leicestershire Regiment is wounded.