COX, John Deer
| Service Number: | SX7436 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 July 1940, Adelaide, SA |
| Last Rank: | Lance Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Portland, South Australia, 7 January 1914 |
| Home Town: | Grange, City of Charles Sturt / Henley and Grange, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Press Hand |
| Died: | South Australia , 13 September 1968, aged 54 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 2 Jul 1940: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Nov 1940: | Embarked Private, SX7436, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion, Embarked on HMT Stratheden | |
| 10 Apr 1941: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX7436, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion, Siege of Tobruk | |
| 31 Oct 1942: | Wounded Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX7436, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion, El Alamein, Shrapnel wound to left foot & both legs | |
| 4 Sep 1943: | Involvement Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX7436, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion, New Guinea - Huon Peninsula / Markham and Ramu Valley /Finisterre Ranges Campaigns, Capture of Lae | |
| 18 Feb 1944: | Embarked Private, SX7436, Port Moresby | |
| 29 Oct 1944: | Promoted Corporal | |
| 23 Apr 1945: | Embarked Australian Army (Post WW2), SX7436, Tarakan Campaign | |
| 1 May 1945: | Involvement Corporal, SX7436, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion, Borneo - Operation Oboe July - August 1945, Battle of Tarakan | |
| 3 Oct 1945: | Discharged | |
| 3 Oct 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Sergeant, SX7436, 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion | |
| 30 Nov 1945: | Honoured Military Medal, Borneo - Operation Oboe July - August 1945, 'During operations on TARAKAN from May to June 45 SX7436 Cpl. (now sgt.) COX, J.D, as SOS Comd, Pl sgt displayed all the qualities of a good leader his personal courage and disregard of his own safety were an inspiration to the men of his Pl. On May 2 45 by his determined handling of his section and his aggressive attitude he was responsible for the occupation by 15 Pl of a knoll commanding a stretch of COLLINS HIGHWAY. On the 6 May 15 Pl in which he was SOS Comd was moved up to SYKES during the night and early morning his Pl comd and Pl sgt were wounded; throughout the day of the 7th Cpl. COX moved about the position under continuous enemy fire and by his example maintained an effective and aggressive defence and kept the morale of his Pl at a particularly high level. Throughout the operation Cpl. COX maintained this standard and his excellent leadership was responsible for killing a considerable number of the enemy and assisted in the taking of a series of features.' |
Post-war later life memories, as remembered by his nephew, Garry Chaplin
‘I will always remember Uncle Jack and Auntie Joyce at their humble home at Beach Street, Grange. He was rather unwell in the mid 1960’s, but always greeted my brother and I with warmth. A simple “how are you, son?” Was his signature greeting. Always sitting in his chair in the lounge room. Uncle Jack would walk down the road to the Grange bowls club, which was a big part of his life, alongside his beloved Joyce. Simple living, following a decorated past of courage, coolness, initiative and devotion to duty. Rest peacefully, Uncle Jack’ — Garry Chaplin (nephew) 29/12/2021
Submitted 29 December 2021 by Liam Chaplin
Biography contributed by Liam Chaplin
SX7436 Lance Sergeant John Deer Cox MM
Born 7/1/1914 in Portland, SA.
Not much info is known about his earlier years except that he had 3 siblings, was Methodist and his occupation was a press hand. He grew up in Woodville, SA.
He enlisted on July 2nd 1940 and was assigned to the 2nd/48th Infantry Battalion. It was there where he travelled to the Middle East per the HMT Stratheden. Undergoing training in the desert.
He was, therefore, present during the Tobruk Siege of 1941... Where there is a photo of him in one of the machine gun nests on the western outskirts of the Tobruk garrison.
He was wounded in action on October 31, 1942, during the Second Battle of El Alamein, with shrapnel wounds to left foot and both legs.
He departed the Middle East on February 1, 1943, and arrived in Melbourne on February 25. He was married to Audrey Joyce Cox on March 11 1943.
Jack then travelled to Cairns and then left for New Guinea, arriving at Milne Bay on August 6 1943.
On November 6 1943, he was diagnosed with cerebral malaria and was in a bad way. He was classed as proficient on January 16, 1944, and discharged from the 113 ACD on February 9 1944.
Jack left Port Moresby on February 18 per Etolin and arrived in Brisbane on February 22. I believe it is in QLD where he and the rest of the 2/48 BTN were further trained.
It is there where he was promoted corporal on October 29 1944.
He embarked at Townsville per Sea Cat on April 3, 1945, and disembarked at Morotai island on April 13 1945.
On April 23, 1945, he embarked per Manoora and disembarked on Tarakan island, with the assault beginning on May 1 1945.
He was a part of 15th platoon. And it was during this operation that he was both appointed L/Sjt and recommended the Military Medal (MM). Here is the recommendation in full:
“During operations on TARAKAN from May to June 45 SX7436 Cpl. (now Sgt.) COX, J.D, as SOS Comd, Pl Sgt displayed all the qualities of a good leader his personal courage and disregard of his own safety were an inspiration to the men of his Pl. On May 2 45 by his determined handling of his section and his aggressive attitude he was responsible for the occupation by 15 Pl of a knoll commanding a stretch of COLLINS HIGHWAY. On the 6 May 15 Pl in which he was SOS Comd was moved up to SYKES during the night and early morning his Pl comd. and Pl Sgt were wounded; throughout the day of the 7th Cpl. COX moved about the position under continuous enemy fire and by his example maintained an effective and aggressive defence and kept the morale of his Pl at a particularly high level. Throughout the operation Cpl. COX maintained this standard and his excellent leadership was responsible for killing a considerable number of the enemy and assisted in the taking of a series of features” RECOMMENDED FOR PERIODICAL AWARD OF MM.
The battle of Tarakan ended on June 21 1945. Jack left Tarakan island on August 12 1945, arriving once again at Morotai island on August 15. He further embarked on August 21 and disembarked in Sydney on September 9 1945. He was then finally discharged on October 3 1945.
After the war, he lived with his wife at Beach Street, Grange SA. He was always known as being a kind man enjoying lawn bowls at the Grange Bowls club next door. He enjoyed a beer with his fellow digger mates at the local RSL. Enjoying the simple pleasures of post-war life.
He sadly passed away on September 13, 1968, at age 53 due to heart- related complications. He was cremated at Centennial Park cemetery, SA.
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