George Fox
- Family History
- Military History
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George was the son of Albert and Eunice Fox (née Horsley). Both his parents were born in Bulwell. Albert was born on 3 May 1863, the son of Joseph and Eliza Fox, and was baptised at Bulwell St Mary the Virgin and All Souls on 17 May 1863. Eunice was the daughter of Jabez and Ann Horsley; her birth was registered in 1867 (J/F/M Basford). Albert and Eunice were married at Bulwell St Mary on 12 January 1884. They had 12 chlldren only five of whom survived in 1911. Seven children have been traced on the census and birth registration records; they were all born in Bulwell and all but one baptised at Bulwell St Mary: Eunice b. 1886 bap. 14 September 1887; Eliza Ann b. 1888 (J/A/S) bap. 7 November 1888 d. 1888 (O/N/D); Avice Ellen birth registered 1890 (J/F/M) bap. 5 March 1890; George b. 1895 bap. 15 May 1895; Jabez b. 1896 (J/A/S) bap. 16 September 1896 d. 1897 (J/F/M); Harold b. 30 September 1897 bap. 10 November 1897 and Albert Edward b. 1903. In 1891 Albert (27) a colliery banksman and Eunice (24) were living on Lime Street, Bulwell, with their two surviving daughters, Eunice (4) and Avice (1). They were still living on Lime Street when George was baptised in 1895 but at 40 Key Street a year later when Jabez was baptised. They were still living at 40 Key Street in 1901. Albert was now working as a grocer and milk seller. He and Eunice had four surviving children: Eunice, a cotton machine winder, Avice, George (5) and Harold (4). Albert was born two years later in 1903. Eunice snr. died in 1908 (A/M/J Nottingham) aged about 41. Albert, recorded on the census as a dairyman, was living at 32 Musters Street, Bulwell, in 1911. Four of his five surviving children were still living at home: Avice a factory hand (lace finishing), George a carter (colliery) and Harold and Albert (8) who were both at school. Eunice had married William Ward in 1910 (J/F/M Nottingham) and left home. The second daughter, Avice, married James Bell at the end of 1911 (O/N/D Basford). Albert married secondly a widow, Sarah Carter (née Priestley, b. 30 September 1883), in 1915 (J/F/M). Sarah had married George Henry Carter in 1903 and they had a son, George. Her husband had died in 1905 and in 1911 Sarah (28) was working as a factory hand (lace factory) and living with her six year old son on Barry Street, Bulwell. Albert and Sarah had at least three children: Florence b. 7 February 1915, John b. 5 October 1916 and Richard b. 14 May 1920. The family home was still 32 Musters Street when George and Harold died in 1916 and 1917 respectively. Harold's army service record includes the form completed by his father for the army in 1919 which named his son's surviving blood relatives. Albert listed himself and: Brother: Albert (16), 32 Musters Road Brother (half blood): John (2), 32 Musters Road Sisters: Eunice Ward (32), 202 Oskern? Road Bentley Doncaster; Avice Ellen Bell (29), 9 Huntingdon Street Bentley Doncaster Sister (half blood): Florence (4), 32 Musters Street Bulwell In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Albert, now retired, and Sarah were still living at 32 Musters Street. Their three children, Florence, John and Richard, were living at home as well as another child, Colin Fox b. 28 November 1937 (birth registered Nottingham, mother's maiden name Fox), who was probably their grandson. Albert died in 1940 (J/F/M Nottingham) aged about 76. His widow Sarah died on 3 October 1961 in West Bridgford but her home was still at 32 Musters Street, Bulwell. Administration of her Will was awarded to her sons George Carter an insurance agent, and Richard Fox a foundry worker.
George Fox enlisted at Nottingham and landed in France on 21st July 1915. He was murdered on 11th July 1916 along with Sergeant Tom Whitfield, also of the 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade, who were shot and killed by Corporal William Edward Hubert, 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade, who then committed suicide by shooting himself. At the inquest held on 17th July 1916 the following evidence was given by A/Cpl. Edward Stephen Scott, 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade: 'Between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. July 11th 1916 I came out of my hut to go to the latrines and as I came out I heard a rifle shot. Very soon afterwards I heard a second report and a door slammed and saw Cpl Hubert running towards me and as he was running he was looking back over his shoulder. Directly he looked to his front again he saw me and stopped dead. He then turned about bent down and keeping the butt of the rifle on the ground and his head close to the muzzle, fired the rifle, & fell down. I went straight up to him and found he had shot himself through the cheek and was dead.' Captain Jesser Davis, 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade, provided the likely motive for the crime: 'On July 11th 1916 at the Transport lines 11th R.B. I was called by the stable picquet Rfn Turner at 4.20 a.m. He reported to me that he had heard three rifle shots and that Sgt Whitfield the Transport Sgt and A/Cpl Fox Transport Cpl had been shot dead and that Cpl Hubert had shot himself dead but that he had not seen him. I went out and inspected the hut and found Sgt. Whitfield dead in his bunk shot through the head. A/Cpl. Fox was also dead in his bunk shot through the chest. About 40 yards away in the wagon lines Cpl Hubert was lying dead shot through the mouth. I had sent in a charge against Cpl Hubert on July 10th 1916, of refusing to obey and order. The order had been given by Sgt Whitfield and Cpl Fox and they were the chief witnesses against him. Cpl Hubert had been my transport sergeant and had been reduced for drunkenness last May.' All three men were buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery Belgium, Fox Grave Reference: II A 18, Whitfield Grave Reference: IV A 7 and Hubert Grave Reference: IV A 3.
George's brother Harold Fox served with the 16th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (12107 Rifleman) and was killed in action on 23rd April 1917. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Albert was his legatee.
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