Frederick Donald Fox
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frederick Donald Fox was born in 1897 the son of Frederick Isaac and Kate Fox (née Earp) of 21, Park Valley, Nottingham. His father was the Deputy City Treasurer, Nottingham Corporation. Frederick Isaac was born in 1864 at Nottingham his mother Kate Earp was born in 1863 also at Nottingham. They were married in 1895 and had another son Frederick Herbert born 17th March 1898. In 1911, they lived at Cavendish Place, Beeston with a 22 year old servant Lilly Wilbraham. His brother, Second Lieutenant Frank Herbert Fox, Bedfordshire Regiment, was killed in action at Achiet-le-Petit 23 August 1918, age 20, and is buried in the Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension.
Second Lieutenant Frederick Donald Fox, 17th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment (Welbeck Rangers), was killed in action on 6th November 1916, having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
Nottingham Corporation, minutes of council meeting 1 January 1917: 'Expressions of sympathy to the relatives of... and Second Lieutenant FD Fox (son of the Deputy City Treasurer), all of whom were killed on active service.'A faculty dated 15 August 1917 gave permission for the memorial to FD Fox to be installed in St John's church; permission was given for a memorial brass to his younger son following a written request by FJ Fox dated 12 November 1918 (WMA 27233): 'To the dear memory of Frederick Donald Fox, Second Lieutenant 17th Sherwood Foresters, killed in action on the Somme near Theipval, on the 5th November 1916. Aged 20 years. To the dear memory of Frank Herbert Fox, Second Lieutenant Bedfordshire Regt, killed in action at Achiet-le-Petit and buried in the cemetery there 23rd August 1918. Aged 20 years. 'They were the delight of our eyes and a glorious fragrance clings around our memories of them. The Lord giveth and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.' He and his brother, Frank Herbert, are commemorated on a memorial in St John the Baptist church to four Sunday School teachers who died in the war (WMA27236).Notice published 10th November 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “FOX. – Killed in action, on the 6th inst., [sic] Frederick Donald Fox, 2nd Lieut. Sherwood Foresters, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Fox, of Beeston, Notts.” Landing in France on 16th September 1916, he was killed as the battalion was being relieved by 13th Battalion Royal Sussex, as a fellow officer wrote to his parents:“Lieut. Fox was killed on 5 Nov., while leading his platoon out of the trenches. He was struck by a shell, and died at once. I was with him just before his death, and we had shared the same corner of the dug-out, and he was a most charming companion. He was one of the best officers I had, quite fearless and always ready to undertake any kind of work, and he will be greatly missed by the officers and men.” Following article was published on 11th November 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “KILLED.“LIEUT. F. D. FOX. “News has been received of the death in action on November 6th of Second-Lieutenant Frederick Donald Fox, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. I. Fox, of Beeston. Mr. Fox, sen., is assistant city treasurer to the Nottingham Corporation.“Lieut. Fox, who was articled to Mr. P. H. Henderson, incorporated accountant, having been rejected be joined the University O.T.C., and received a commission in the Sherwood Foresters about two months ago. He was in his 21st year.” Above are courtesy of De Ruvigny Roll of Honour and from Jim Grundys facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
