John Connor Knox was the only son of Charles and Mary J. Knox. He was born about 1899 in County Tyrone. The 1901 census records John as 2 years old, living with the family at Union Place, Dungannon. He was educated at Brookfield School and Bangor Grammar School. He enlisted in the Royal Irish Rifles in 1915, but was only 15. Shortly afterwards enlisted to train as a wireless operatos.On completion of his course he was posted to the Royal Engineers. In January 1917 he went out to the Western front. Arising primarily out of shell shock, he contracted an illness and was moved to London General Hospital. Sapper John Connor Knox was serving with the Royal Engineers when he died on 16th November 1917, aged 18.