John Hugh Cox

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mark Moran, helping to research the war records of the 19 former pupils who are commemorated on the Elmhurst Grammar School's roll of honour

John was born on the 23rd August 1923. He was the son of Herbert and Emma Cox.  He attended Elmhurst Grammar School, Street, from 1936 until 1939.

On being called up John joined the 1st Gordon Highlanders. The 1st Gordon’s were part of the 51st (Highland) Division which landed in France on the afternoon of D-Day, June 6th, shortly after the ‘Western Wall’ had been breached and the leading divisions had started their advance inland from the coast.

They landed on the western side of Juno Beach.

While the fight for Caen was going on the 1st Battalion were fully occupied to the east and south-east of the city, facing tenacious German resistance around the small hamlets of Touffreville, Breville, Escoville, Herouvillette, and Colombelles. All had to be cleared, and it was work that required patience, resilience and courage under fire.

John was killed during this action on the 16th June and initially buried on the outskirts of Escoville. His body was later moved to the military cemetery at Banneville-La-Campagne.

He was 21 years old.

John’s elder brother Herbert was a front gunner in a Lancaster Bomber and was killed in action on 17th April 1942.