Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Eulo Cox, a grazier and baker, born 1862 in Burton Overy, Leicestershire and his wife Helen Eliza Roby Cox (nee Lewin, married in the 3rd quarter of 1891 in the Billesdon, Leicestershire district), born 1868 in Great Glen, Leicestershire. James Harold was born in the 3rd quarter of 1897 in Burton Overy, his siblings were, Elsie, born 1892, Edith Roby, born 1894 and Goodall Roby, born 1895, all his siblings were born in Burton Overy, in March 1901 the family home was at Manor House Lane, Burton Overy. In April 1911 James was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Burton Overy, together with his father, a grazier, his mother and sister Edith.
James attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 29th November 1915 in Leicester. He gave his present address as Burton Overy, Leicestershire, his age as 18 years and 165 days and his trade or calling as baker. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, John Cox of Burton Overy, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7½ inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 37½ inches. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service began when he joined the Army Reserve as a Private, service number 7854 (513736) on the 30/11/15. Mobilised on the15/5/16. Posted to the 3/14th Battalion London Regiment on the 15/5/16. Transferred to the 2/14th Battalion London Regiment and embarked from Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/9/16. Disembarked Le Havre, France on the 30/9/16. Transferred to the 1/14th Battalion London Regiment in the field on the 15/10/16. Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on the 27/4/17. Appointed paid Lance Corporal on the 18/7/17. Admitted to 55th Field Ambulance suffering from a gunshot wound to the right shoulder on the 17/8/17. Admitted to 18th General Hospital, Dannes Camiers on the 18/8/17. Discharged to Base Details on the 30/10/17. Arrived at Y. Base Depot Le Havre from Etaples, Class A on the 1/11/17. -?- on the 29/11/17. Wounded and returned to duty on the 2/12/17. Appointed paid Acting Corporal on the 12/12/17. Confirmed in rank of Corporal on the 12/12/17. Appointed paid Acting Sergeant on the 4/7/18. Confirmed in the rank of Sergeant on the 4/7/18. Killed in action in the field on the 29/8/18. Buried in H.A.C. British Cemetery, Ecoust St. Mein, 5 miles North North East of Bapaume. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 29/11/15 – 14/5/16, 166 days. Home Service, 15/5/16 – 28/9/16, 137 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/9/16 – 29/8/18, 1 year 335 days. Total service, 2 years 254 days? James was awarded the British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by James’ father John Eulo Cox on the 22nd September 1919, and was witnessed and signed by A. Cory, Clerk in Holy Orders, Burton Overy Rectory, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, John Eulo Cox of Burton Overy, Nr. Leicester. Mother of soldier, Helen Eliza Roby Cox of Burton Overy, Nr. Leicester. Full blood sisters of soldier, Elsie Harris of Great Stretton, Nr. Leicester. Edith Roby Cox of Burton Overy. The following items of personal property were forwarded to James’ mother, religious book, Xmas card, wrist watch (Broken), strap, protector, photos, pouch and disc.
The War Diary records: 29 Aug-18 – The Attack. The barrage commenced at Zero minus 5 minutes and crept forward at the rate of 100 yards in 6 minutes. It was on the whole accurate, but, did not appear to be sufficiently dense. Several guns were firing short on to PELICAN AVENUE and PELICAN LANE from Zero onwards. As soon as the barrage lifted, the Companies moved forward. “D” and “B” Companies in front, “A” following about 150 yards in the rear. “C” Company was to advance behind those troops of either KENSINGTONS or LONDON SCOTTISH which were making most progress and to attack from the flank any enemy strong points which were holding up the advance. They were not to move forward until orders to do so had been received from Battalion Headquarters. The advancing Companies encountered considerable opposition from machine guns and snipers distributed in shell holes. Very little remained of the houses of the village of BULLECOURT and the ground was pitted with shell holes, very much overgrown with long weeds and grass. The ground was therefore very favourable for the shell hole tactics of the enemy machine gunners and snipers. “B” and “D” Companies had reached GORDON RESERVE about 2.30pm with advanced platoons about 200 yards to the South East. At that time, the 169th Brigade on the left (LONDON RIFLE BRIGADE) and the KENSINGTONS on the right had not made much progress, so that both flanks of “B” and “D” Companies were in the air. The 169th Brigade appeared to have been held up by heavy machine gun fire from the factory in U.22.a. and b. and the KENSINGTONS by a similar fire from STATION REDOUBT and RAILWAY RESERVE. Meanwhile “A” Company advancing behind “B” Company and “D” Company had reached the northern end of BULLECOURT by 1.30pm and had commenced to mop up the village from North to South. By 2.45 pm the village had been cleared and “A” Company had come in on the right of “B” and “D” Companies and was distributed along TOWER RESERVE and GORDON RESERVE from the road at U.27.b.10.65. to the road at U.28.a.50.35. The KENSINGTONS had been held up my machine gun fire from the very outset of the attack, from STATION REDOUBT and RAILWAY RESERVE; their efforts were then directed to outflanking STATION REDOUBT from the North. The attack had made most progress in the direction of BULLECOURT. The Commanding Officer LONDON SCOTTISH, therefore decided to move his reserve company (“C” Company) forward behind the other three Companies to protect the left flank of the forward companies and to exploit any success. “C” Company accordingly moved through the village and by 3.30pm Officer Commanding “C” Company reported that he had reached a line U.28.a.80.80. to U.28. central but had not established touch with the other companies. Enemy machine guns were at the time very active from U.22. central and from positions a short distance WEST of TANK SUPPORT. At 4.45pm Officer Commanding “A” Company reported that touch had been obtained with both “A” and “D” Companies, that his Company had become involved in mopping up machine guns and that therefore he did not intend to take it further forward. The advanced platoons of “B” and “D” Companies had meanwhile, been withdrawn to within 150 yards of GORDON RESERVE owing to heavy casualties and to the exposed nature of the flanks. The dispositions of the Battalion at 5.00pm were as follows:-
“A” Company 1 platoon in TOWER RESERVE where it crosses road at U.27.b.15.70. Remainder of Company disposed in TOWER RESERVE near the junction at U.28.a.25.10.
“B” Company in two lines of platoons about 100 yards in front of GORDON RESERVE and at 100 yards interval and distance.
“C” Company on the left of “A” Company in GORDON RESERVE to U.28.a.80.80. “C” Company were in touch with parties of the LONDON RIFLE BRIGADE who, however, were still held up by machine guns mainly about U.22. central.
“D” Company were in position in front of GORDON RESERVE and behind “B” Company.
Casualties in Companies had been heavy, mostly from machine gun fire and during consolidation for defence which was proceeded with. There was constant harassing fire from enemy snipers and machine guns.
Support Battalion. Part of the Support Battalion (ROYAL FUSILIERS) had been moved forward from their positions in U.20.a. and b. and were disposed of as follows in the assembly trenches vacated by the LONDON SCOTTISH. One company in PELICAN LANE, one company in BORDERER LANE, one company in GOLLIWOG LANE, and one company in QUEEN’S LANE.
STATION REDOUBT was cleared by the KENSINGTONS during the evening, but they were unable to advance beyond it or along RAILWAY RESERVE.
Enemy Artillery. Hostile artillery fire was not heavy at the commencement of the battle. Most of the enemy field guns having apparently withdrawn. The HINDENBURG LINE at U.21.a. and around U.21. central was intermittently shelled with 5.9” and PELICAN LANE was subjected to scattered shelling from 77mm guns at intervals. As soon, however, as the enemy realised the nature and extent of our attack, his artillery fire increased considerably, and was mainly directed against communications. The roads and trenches in U.20. and 21. were continuously shelled during the evening with shells of various calibre. The sunken road running North East and South West in U.20.b. and d. received special attention. A considerable number of shells used contained a combination of gas and high explosive.
7.00pm. The general situation of companies remained unaltered during the evening. About 6.45pm one company of the Support Battalion 1/4th ROYAL FUSILIERS was moved up to reinforce the left of “C” Company. Consolidation of the captured positions was carried on. Hostile artillery maintained harassing fire, but with decreased violence.
Relief by 167th Brigade. During the night the 167th Brigade relieved the 168th Brigade. The 1st LONDON REGIMENT relieved the LONDON SCOTTISH. Relief was carried out with few casualties and with little interruption from the enemy. Some casualties were, however, incurred from a land mine at U.21.c.75.00. This exploded while part of “A” Company LONDON SCOTTISH which had just been relieved were passing this point. It appears to have been at the side of the road and connected to a trip wire over which one of the men stumbled.
APPENDIX A
CASUALTIES 23 – 31-8-18
23rd. Other ranks. 23 killed. 55 wounded. 44 gassed. nil missing. Total 122.
23rd Officers. 1 wounded. Total 1.
28th Other ranks. 1 wounded Total 1.
29th Other ranks. 22 killed. 78 wounded. 2 gassed 3 missing. Total 105.
29th Officers. 1 killed 4 wounded. 1 missing. Total 6.
30th Other ranks. 6 wounded Total 6.
31st Other ranks. 11 killed 54 wounded. 5 missing. Total 70.
31st Officers. 1 wounded Total 1.

Totals Officers. Killed 1. Wounded 6. Gassed 2. Missing 1. Total 10
Totals Other ranks. Killed 56. Wounded 194. Gassed 46. Missing 8 Total 304.

Officer Casualties.
2nd Lieutenant B. L. ELLIOTT wounded 23/8/18.
Lieutenant C. WOODCOCK wounded gas 23/8/18.
2nd Lieutenant G. H. STEWART wounded gas 23/8/18.
2nd Lieutenant W. S. MCLACHLAN killed in action 29/8/18.
2nd Lieutenant G. A. BEARDMORE wounded 29/8/18.
2nd Lieutenant H. A. DAVIES wounded 29/8/18.
Lieutenant W. C. NEEDS wounded 29/8/18.
Lieutenant E. L. REID wounded 29/8/18.
2nd Lieutenant J. S. L. BAYFIELD missing 29/8/18.
Lieutenant C. M. W. DAVIES wounded 31/8/18.
Lieutenant J. ALLARDYCE D.S.O., M.M. wounded at duty 29/8/18.
2nd Lieutenant W. P. ANDREWS wounded at duty 29/8/18.
Captain F. C. BISHOP M.C. wounded at duty 31/8/18.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Photograph provided by J Patterson 18/07/22
Date of birth provided by J Patterson 06/11/23