Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Leslie James COX, always known as Jim , was small in stature. At the time of enlisting Jim lived with his parents at 3 First Ave, South Payneham. He decided to enlist because his parents had provided a billet placement for 4 soldiers who had returned from serving in the Middle East. The youngest of these soldiers would later marrying Jim's younger sister.

Prior to enlisting Jim worked as a factory worker at the  Kelvinator factory .

At first after discharge Jim found finding employment difficult until with the help of his brother-in-law he gained employment with PMG later Telecom as a Linesman's assistant, a job he had until just prior to his death. Being a trusted and committed employee was central to Jim's persona. Despite being diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic and needing twice daily insulin injections,  Jim always went to work as a priority. 

Jim married Evelyne Byrne on 24th October 1953 at Kent Town Methodist Church  With the help of a War Service Homes loan Jim and Evie purchased 7 McLaughlan Ave , North Brighton, moving in after their marriage. It remained their family home .

Jim and Evie were parents to three children , Julie , Warren and Cheryl .

Extended Cox family support was always given to Jim who had been a student of 'Opportunity Class" system of the day, a system for students who could not manage traditional classroom learning .

Sadly, when his wife died shortly after a diagnosis of terminal cancer, his life, at 49 changed dramatically. Both he and Evie were mildly intellectually disabled and their three children were also diagnosed as having Moderate Congenital Cognitive Disability .

When extended family support for the family to remain living independently could no longer meet Jim's  health care need, his children were placed into the care of Minda at North Brighton , Jim and Evie then living with family .

Jim never recovered emotionally from the trauma of his family being split, his wife's illness and subsequent death. His health deteriorated quickly.

Jim died suddenly on 23rd June 1976 whilst at a Respite placement at Kapara at Glenelg.