John Wanless Cox was born June 21, 1895 in Ramshaw, Co. Durham. He was the son of John Edward and Annie Cox. The family lived in Evenwood, Co. Durham.

In the 1911 census John Wanless Cox was working as an apprentice bricklayer.

John Wanless Cox served in the Highland Light Infantry in Ww1, becoming a regimental sergeant major.

John married Elsie Carrick in 1941.

John Wanless Cox is the father of Thomas Cox of Newton Aycliffe.

John's brother, George Thomas Cox, also served in WW1.