Harold Fox
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Harold 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.
Harold attested on 7 November 1914 at the age of 19, occupation illegible. He named his father and brothers, George and Albert, as his next of kin. Service record: Home 9 November 1914-28 June 1915 (232d); BEF France 29 June 1915-25 July 1916 (1y 24d); Home 26 July 1916-21 February 1917 (219d); BEF France 1 March 1917-23 April 1917 (54d). Harold served with the BEF France from 29 June 1915 to 25 July 1916. However, he suffered a gun shot wound to his right shoulder 20/21 July and was treated initially at No. 20 General Hospital but evacuated from Dieppe to England on 25 July. He was admitted to the Red Cross Hospital Winchester on 13 September 1916 and then discharged to an auxiliary hospital in Stockbridge on 1 November 1916. He was discharged from hospital on 14 November 1916 but did not return to France until 2 March 1917 (Southampton 1 March-Havre 2 March). He was posted to the 16th Bn on 2 March and joined the Battalion in the Field on 13 March, joining for duty with 'C' Company two days later. Harold was reported missing in action on 23 April 1917 with his death later confirmed on that date. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France (Bay 7). He qualfiied for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - Arras Memorial (extract): The memorial is adjacent to the Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery which was begun in March 1916. 'The Arras Memorial commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918.'
His brother George served in the 11th Bn The Rifle Brigade (S/5690 Rifleman/Acting Corporal). He served in France where he and Sergeant Tom Whitfield of the same battalion were shot and killed by Corporal WE Hubert on 11 July 1916; Hubert then shot himself. The three men were buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery. (See George Fox's record on this Roll of Honour)
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