Walter Fox
He was a former groom, professional soldier and worker on his father's farm.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Walter Fox was born in 1883 , he was baptised on 10th October 1883 at Abbey Chapel, Beauchief he was the son of Clement a farmer and Mary Wilkinson Fox née Osborne of Ossington village.
His father Clement was born in 1854 at Greenhill, Derbyshire, his mother Mary Wilkinson Osborne was born in 1856 at Dore, Derbyshire, they were married on 7th June 1877 at St James's Church, Sheffield, they went on to have 7 children, sadly 1 was to die in infancy or early childhood.
In 1911 they lived at Hop Bine Farm Ossington Newark Nottinghamshire, Clement 57 yrs is a farmer he is living with his wife Mary Wilkinson 55 yrs and their children, Clent 31 yrs a farmers son working on a farm. Mary Osborne 30 yrs working on her fathers farm, Walter 27 yrs farmers son working on his fathers farm, Georpe 20 yrs a farmers son and Frances 12 yrs.
Walter Fox enlisted on 25 January 1904, age 20 years 5 months, 5 feet 4 inches and a Groom. He was already serving in 4th battalion Special Reserve prior to enlisting as a regular. He enlisted for 3 years with the colours and 9 in reserve.
On 28 January he was posted to the Depot in Derby and on 19 April, appointed Lance Corporal (paid). A month later on 19 May, he reverted at his own request to Private. In November 1904 he was posted to the 2nd Battalion at Aldershot. He was transferred to the Army Reserve after serving his three years.
Walter was mobilized on 5 August 1915 and posted to the 1st battalion in October, on their return to England. He went to France with them on 4 November 1914. Walter was killed in action on 12 March 1915 during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle when the German's launched an attack in overwhelming numbers, forcing the battalion back to the support trench, some 150 yards in the rear. Counter attacks by the battalion and the heroism of Private Jacob Rivers VC, forced the enemy back and the battalion regained its former line. At 9 pm, the battalion withdrew to the support trench which became the new front line. At some point Walter was killed and probably buried in a local cemetery made by the Seaforth Highlanders. His grave was later lost and today he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.
additional research Peter Gillings
Walter Fox Memorial
9121 Private Walter Fox, 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) was killed in action on 12 March 1915 during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. He has no known grave and is commemorated on The Le Touret Memorial, France. Visited, wreath laid and photo taken by John Morse