Cox, John Ramsay

COX,

JOHN RAMSAY

BORN 29 JUNE 1873

John Ramsay Cox was born in

Yatton, Somerset, on 29 June 1873, son of William Charles Cox (b 1841 in Bedminster, Bristol), and Catherine Margaret Cox (née Ramsay b 1846 in Tintinhull, Somerset). William’s father was the late Reverend Alexander Ramsay, Vicar of Crewkerne, Somerset.

In 1881 census records show John living with his parents at Ashley Lawn, Yatton, Somerset. John entered the School on 15 January 1889, aged 15, leaving in April 1890. By 1891, John was one of 6 children residing at Worlebury, South Road, Weston Super Mare, Axbridge, Somerset. His other siblings were Mary R (b 1868), William S R (b 1870), Kathleen R (b 1871), Edith R (b 1873) and Erskine R (b 1882). John was also educated at Bruton, Somerset and formerly served in the Worcestershire Regiment, 6th (Special Reserve) Battalion.

In 1898 John married Florence Julia May Comber (b 1872 in Corsham, Wiltshire, daughter of Commander G. Mervyn Comber R.N.). By 1901, census records show that John, a fruit grower, and Florence were living at Wilton Court, Wilton, Ross, Herefordshire.

However, by 1911, John and Florence

were living at 4 Malvern Place Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and John’s occupation is Lieutenant Special Reserve of Officers.

A more detailed account of John’s war service is recorded in ‘The British Army, Bond of Sacrifice: Officers died in the Great War 1914-1916’. This records he was educated for some time at Bruton. After leaving the Army, he enlisted again in September 1914, when he was gazetted to the reserve of his old regiment (Worcestershire Regiment).

After a time, he was attached to the 11th Battalion, and temporarily employed as a Staff Captain at the 78th Infantry Brigade Headquarters. Early in January, he was drafted to 1st Battalion and proceeded to the front. He was killed in action about 9 a.m. on 11th March 1915 ,aged 41, during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle when to quote his commanding officer, ‘he behaved with the greatest gallantry during the whole operation’. John’s promotion to the rank of Captain from 2 February 1915 was not gazetted until May 1915, a short while after his death. He had been 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.

He was survived by his wife Florence and he is remembered on Panels 17/18 of the Le Touret Memorial.

Fifth Panel 25