6th (Special Reserve) Battalion attached to 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
John Ramsay Cox was born on 29 June 1873 in Yatton, Somerset to Catharine Margaret and William Charles Cox. The census of 1881 shows the family living at Ashley Lawn, Yatton with John’s three elder sisters Mary, Kathleen and Edith. William’s occupation at that time was a Leather Merchant.
John was educated at King’s School, Bruton and privately. By 1891 he was employed as an Architect’s Clerk. The family had moved to Weston-super-Mare and another son had been born, Erskine.
On 2 November 1898 John married Florence Julia Mary Comber at Christ Church in the parish of Walcot St Swithin, Bath. By 1901 they were living at Wilton Court, Ross, Herefordshire and John was a Fruit Grower.
John was gazetted as a Lieutenant on 1 December 1907 and his first commission in the army was 7 December in that year; the address he gave was Park House, Cheltenham. From 7 December 1907 until August 1908 he was serving with the 4th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry in Northern Bengal. From August 1908 until June 1912 he was serving with the 6th Battalion (Special Reserve) Worcester Regiment in the Mounted Rifles. He was a member of the East India United Service Club, and was good at all games, but preferred tennis and golf. He was also keen on hunting.
John rejoined the army early in September 1914 when he was gazetted to his old regiment on the 4th having been attached to the 11th Worcestershire, and temporally employed as a Staff Captain at the 78th Infantry Brigade Headquarters at Prestbury House, Prestbury (the HQ later relocated to John’s house in Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham).
He proceeded to France in early January 1915 as part of a draft for the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. The battalion’s War Diary noted that he joined them on 24 February 1915; John had been promoted to Captain on 2 February. On 9 March the battalion was in billets at Red Barn on the Estaires – La Bassée road and on 10 March the Battle of Neuve Chappelle commenced. It was at about 9am on 12 March that Captain Cox was killed in action, when, to quote the words of his Commanding Officer: “ … he behaved with the greatest gallantry during the whole operation.” He was 41 years of age.
Captain Cox’s body was never found and he is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial. He is also remembered on the Christ Church Roll of Honour; Cheltenham War Memorial; St Luke’s Church, Cheltenham; King’s Bruton Roll of Honour; St Brigid, Bridstow, Herefordshire and Worcester Regiment Roll of Honour.
Le Touret Memorial