George Fox
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George was the son of Sam and Jane Fox (née Riley). His father Sam was born on 25 June 1857 (J/A/S Mansfield) in Tibshelf, Derbyshire, the son of Sampson and Mary Fox. His mother Jane was born in 1860 (A/M/J Mansfield) in Newton, Derbyshire, the daughter of Thomas and Hannah Riley. Sam and Jane were married at Blackwell parish church, Derbyshire, on 25th December 1879; Sam was 22 years old and Jane 19. It appears from information provided on the 1911 Census that they had had 13 children, all of whom were still living, but only twelve children have been identified from census records and birth registrations: Joseph b. Newton Derbyshire 1880; Sampson b. Pilsley Derbyshire 7 September 1881; Arthur b. Blackwell birth registered 1883 (J/F/M); Mary Hannah b. Newton 1884; George b. Newton birth registered 1886 (J/F/M); Thomas b. Newton 1888; Alfred Freedman b. Sutton in Ashfield 1890; Jane b. 1891 (J/A/S), Adam b. Huthwaite 15 April 1893; Stephen b. 18 January 1895 bap. Hucknall under Huthwaite All Saints 30 January 1896; Emma b. Huthwaite 1898 and Doris Sarah b. Huthwaite 4 October 1899 (O/N/D). Their births were registered in the Mansfield registration district and Joseph, Sampson, Arthur, Mary and George were all baptised at Blackwell parish church on 30 May 1886. In 1891 Sam (34), a coal miner, and Jane (30) were living at Windmill Cottages, Sutton Road, Huthwaite, with their seven children Joseph (11), Sampson (9), Arthur (8), Mary (6), George (5), Thomas (2) and Alfred (10 months). Five children were born between 1891 (Jane) and 1899 with the birth of Doris Sarah in the last quarter of that year. Their mother Jane died in 1899 (O/N/D Mansfield) aged 39 and her death resulted in the break up of the family. In 1901 Sam and his son Adam (8) were living as boarders on Sutton Road, Sutton in Ashfield, in the household of Henry and Eliza Derrick. Adam joined the Royal Navy as a boy entrant in August 1909 and was killed in 1916. (See record on this Roll of Honour). George (15) a coal miner/pony driver, was living on Blackwell Road, Huthwaite, a boarder in the household of John Hodkin, a coal miner hewer, and his wife Mary. For details of George's siblings in 1901 and subsequent years see his brother Adam's record on this Roll of Honour. George married Sarah Elizabeth Allsop (b. 28 October 1888), the daughter of Joseph and Sarah Ann Allsop, in May 1905 (J/F/M Mansfield). George and Sarah had at least five children: Sarah Ann b. 20 April 1905, George Joseph b. 6 August 1907, Harold Samson b. 30 September 1908, Cyril b. 10 February 1910 and Mary Elizabeth b. 8 November 1914. Mary Elizabeth died on 20 September 1915 aged 10 months; the death certificate includes one of the causes of death as diarrhoea. In 1911, six years after his marriage, George, a coal miner, was living in Goldthorpe, Rotherham, a boarder in the household of Frank and Julia Ann Bowkett. His two oldest children, Sarah (5) and George (3) were living with their maternal grandparents, Joseph and Sarah Ann Allsop, in Swan Terrace, Huthwaite. Sarah Elizabeth and their two youngest children, Harold and Cyril, have not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. The family was living at 46 Sherwood Street, Huthwaite, when the youngest child, Mary Elizabeth, died in September 1915. It was still Sarah's address when she completed a form for the army in 1919 listing her late husband's surviving blood relatives. Apart from herself and her four surviving children she named: Father: Sampson Fox of Newton, Derbyshire. Brothers: Joseph (41) of Common Road Huthwaite, Sampson (39) of Union Street Huthwaite, Arthur (37), Stephen (25) George Street Huthwaite and Alfred possibly of George Street Huthwaite. Sisters: Mary Hannah (married, surname illegible) of George Street Huthwaite and Jane, Emma and Doris Sarah of whom she wrote, 'there is 3 married sisters but I don’t know their married names nor where they live as I never go among them. Sarah Elizabeth Fox married John E Lowe (b. Sheffield 22 July 1891) in 1919 (J/A/S Mansfield). John had attested in 1914 and served with the Hallamshire Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment. In 1939, when the England & Wales Register was recorded, Sarah was living in Sheffield; her husband was not recorded in the household. Sarah died in 1970 (J/F/M Mansfield). Of George's surviving children: Sarah Ann married William H Pike (b. 23 March 1901) in 1927 (A/M/J Mansfield) and in 1939 they were living on Albion Road, Sutton in Ashfield; William was a collier/hewer. William died in 1966 and it is likely that Sarah remarried (Podhajski) and died in 1994 (Sep. Mansfield). George Joseph married Edith Wilkinson in 1932 (A/M/J Mansfield. In 1939 he and Edith (b. 2 June 1911) were living in Sutton in Ashfield; George was a colliery deputy (underground). George died in 1970 (J/A/S Mansfield). Harold Sampson married Annie M Toon (b. 2 August 1908) in 1931 (A/M/J Mansfield) and in 1939 they were living in Sutton in Ashfield; Harold was working as a collier. Harold died in 1957. Cyril married Mary A Radford (b. 9 December 1909) in 1935 (A/M/J Mansfield). In 1939 they were living in Sutton in Ashfield; Cyril was a coal miner. Also in the household was Cyril's grandfather, Sam Fox; the record of one member of the household remains closed. Cyril died in 1971.
George enlisted at Mansfield on 27 August 1914 aged 28y 238d. He served at home until 22 February 1915 and was then drafted to the BEF France from 23 February 1915. However, on 26 May 1915 suffered a gunshot wound to the foot and was treated initially at the No. 11 General Hospital, Boulogne, then transferred to the 5th General Hospital on 29 May before being medically evacuated to the UK. He returned to the front on 28 August 1916 but was reported wounded and missing in action on 13th September 1916. It was eleven months before his death was officially confirmed and not until June 1918 that the War Office confirmed that his grave had been located. He is buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery (grave Ref. VI.D.3). He served: Home 27 August 1914-22 February 1915, France 23 February 1915-30 May 1915. Home 31 May 1915 to 27 August 1916, France 28 August 1916-13 September 1916. Total 2y19d He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'With deep regret and loving remembrance from thy dear wife and family' His brother Adam served in the Royal Navy from 14 August 1909 (J/5139 Able Seaman) and died when the ship in which he was serving, HMS Defiance, was sunk at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Notts Free Press - 9th June 1917 LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED - PRIVATE G. FOX. After being among the “missing” for eleven months, official intimation of the death in action of Private George Fox has been received by his wife, who lives in Sherwood Street, Huthwaite. Private Fox was in the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters, and enlisted nearly three years ago, being then employed at Tibshelf Colliery. In May of 1915 he was wounded in the foot, which caused him to spend four months in an English hospital, and he went out to France again in April of last year. The official return states that he was killed on the 13th September last. A former comrade of his, who was in Huthwaite a few weeks ago, gave the details of his death, which occurred through a mine being blown up on the British front. In addition to a widow, Private Fox leaves four children, and a brother of his went down in the “Defence” in the Jutland battle. A further entry from The Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald , dated 25th August 1917 reads ; - “After being among the ‘missing for eleven months, official notification the death in action of Pte. George Fox, has been received by his wife, who lives in Sherwood Street, Huthwaite. Pte. Fox was in the Sherwood Foresters, and enlisted nearly three years ago, being then employed at Tibshelf Colliery. In May, 1915, he was wounded in the foot, which caused him spend four months in an English hospital, and went out to France again in April of last year. The official return stated that he was killed on the 13th of September last. A former comrade of his who was in Huthwaite a few weeks ago gave the details of his death, which occurred through a mine being blown up on the British Front. In addition to a widow, Pte. Fox leaves four children, and brother of his went down in the ______ in the Jutland battle.” [1] Note: his brother Adam was killed at Jutland whilst serving as an A.B. aboard H.M.S. Defence and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. Above articles courtesy of Jim Grundy and face book page of Samll Town Great War, Hucknall 1914-1918 Army memo June 1918 (extract): ‘Death officially accepted as having occurred on or since (illegible). The Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries reports that the above named soldier’s grave has been located. Will you please inform the next-of-kin accordingly expressing the regret of the Army Council that it must now be definitely accepted that the soldier was killed. It should be added that his name will shortly be published in the official casualty lists.’ Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His widow, Sarah Elizabeth was his sole legatee. His widow Sarah Elizabeth was awarded a pension of 28/9d (twenty-eight shillings and 9 pence) a week for herself and her four children payable with effect from 20 August 1917.
