Carl Wanstall Fox
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Carl Wanstall was the only son of William Wilson and Julia Maria Fox (née Wanstall). His father William Wilson was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, on 12 September 1844, the son of Charles James Fox, a carpet manufacturer, and his wife Rachel. William was baptised in Dewsbury on 6 October 1844. In 1891 William was living in Dewsbury and was head of the household in which were living an unmarried sister and a married brother, his wife and child. However, by the time of his marriage in November that year William was living at 55 High Road, Beeston, Nottingham. His mother Julia Maria was the born in Northbourne, Deal, Kent, in 1856, the daughter of Thomas Wanstall, a builder, and his wife Mary Ann. William Wilson (47) bachelor, profession flock and bedding manufacturer, and Julia Maria (33) spinster and a school teacher, were married at Hornsey Rise parish church Islington on 18 November 1891. They had two children: Marjorie Rachel Mary b. Beeston 20 September 1894 and Carl Wanstall b. Beeston 24 May 1897. By 1901 the family was living at 18 Portland Street, Nottingham: William, a bedding manufacturer, Julia, Marjorie (6) and Carl (3). Also in the household was a domestic servant, Bertha Parker (18). William Wilson died in 1909 (J/F/M Nottingham, burial 8 January 1909). In 1911 his widow and two children were living at 8 Mount Hooton Road, Forest Road, Nottingham. Also in the household was a boarder, Maria Elizabeth Harris (63), single and of private means. The family was living at 13 Southey Street, Nottingham, when Carl was killed in December 1917. His mother Julia Maria died on 28 December 1921; she was still living at 13 Southey Street. Probate was awarded to her unmarried daughter, Marjorie. When the England & Wales Register was compiled in 1939 his sister Marjorie, a certificated teacher, was living at 28 Welby Avenue, Nottingham. Marjorie died on 21 January 1981; she was then living at Abbeyfields, 190 Ashby Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Formerly 37961 Durham Light Infantry. Carl served with 213th Company MCG 186th West Riding Brigade (Territorial) 62nd Division. He was 'killed in action or died of wounds' on 3 December 1917 during the German counter attack at Cambrai. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval. CWGC - Cambrai Memorial (extract): The memorial 'commemorates more than 7,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South Africa who died in the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917 and whose graves are not known. Sir Douglas Haig described the object of the Cambrai operations as the gaining of a 'local success by a sudden attack at a point where the enemy did not expect it' and to some extent they succeeded. The proposed method of assault was new, with no preliminary artillery bombardment. Instead, tanks would be used to break through the German wire, with the infantry following under the cover of smoke barrages. The attack began early in the morning of 20 November 1917 and initial advances were remarkable. However, by 22 November, a halt was called for rest and reorganisation, allowing the Germans to reinforce. From 23 to 28 November, the fighting was concentrated almost entirely around Bourlon Wood and by 29 November, it was clear that the Germans were ready for a major counter attack. During the fierce fighting of the next five days, much of the ground gained in the initial days of the attack was lost. For the Allies, the results of the battle were ultimately disappointing but valuable lessons were learnt about new strategies and tactical approaches to fighting. The Germans had also discovered that their fixed lines of defence, no matter how well prepared, were vulnerable.'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 2 January 1918: ‘ Fox. Killed in action, December 3rd, Pte, Carl Wanstall Fox, Machine Gun Corps, only son of Mrs and the late Mr W Wilson Fox, of 13, Southey-street, aged 20 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperachive.co.uk) All Saints Church News, 'War Obituary', February 1918: 'Carl Wanstall Fox, 13 Southey Street, Private Machine Gun Corps, killed in action December 3rd 1917, aged 20. He was the only son of his mother, who is a widow, and before the war worked with the London City and Midland Banking Co, he was greatly respected and had the promise of a splendid career.' (Nottinghamshire Archives) Probate: Fox Carl Wanstall of 13 Southey-street Nottingham private in HM Army died on or since 3 December 1917 in France Administration Nottingham 26 March to Julia Maria Fox widow. Effects £157 15s. 11d. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Julia Maria Fox was his sole legatee
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