John Wilson Cox was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland in 1888.
He moved to Australia and played for Albert Park. A leading player, in 1914 he represented a victorious Scotland in a local international match against England, played on Fitzroy Cricket Ground.
He enlisted in August 1914 and was a part of the Gallipoli campaign. John was discharged after being diagnosed with deafness in early 1916 and returned to Australia.