Name
William Henry Fox
1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/09/1916
21 years.
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
5814
Bedfordshire Regiment
5th Battalion
"G" Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
JERUSALEM MEMORIAL
Panel 17.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the the Jerusalem Memorial to the missing.
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Hertford Town War Memorial, All Saints Church Memorial, Hertford.
Pre War
William Henry Fox was born in 1894 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire son of William Henry Alexander Fox (B 1869 in India) and Hannah Fox (B 1867). One of five children.
He was Baptised on 23rd September 1894, in the Parish of Bishops Hatfield, with his elder brother John.
1901 Census records William aged 6, at school, living with his parents, brothers John 14 and Danial 3, in Hatfield Hyde, Hatfield, Herts. His father was working as a sandpit labourer.
1911 Census records him aged 16, no occupation is given, he is living with his parents, brothers Danial 13, Frederick 9, and sister Ada 4, in Hatfield Hyde, Hatfield. His father was working as a labourer.
William married Gertrude Edith Brown in October 1913, they had one child Elsie and lived at 4 Thornton Street, Hertford.
Officially recorded as born in Hatfield and was living there when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
Willian enlisted in the County Town of Hertford, initially posted to the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment with the Service No. 4/6691. Later transferred to the 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment with the Service No. 5814. William was killed in action on 18th September 1916, in Egypt.
Extract from the Battalion War Diaries : 18th Sept 1916. "1900hrs Received wire from A/Adj. Coolum that Pte Fox of "B" Company Killed and Pte Meeks "D" Company Wounded Private 5814 William Fox of Hertford and Private 2983 Percy Meeks(*1) were the Battalions first casualties since Gallipoli".
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of October 1916, recorded: “Killed – William Fox, 2nd Beds.”
Awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, and 1914 Star.
Additional Information
The value of his effects £0-3s-8d, Pay Owing and £9, War Gratuity went to his widow Gertrude and E. Williams, (his daughter).
*1 Private 2983 Percy Meeks recovered and survived the war.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Fox (Widow) of 5 Puttocks Oak Cottages, Hatfield requested an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Malcolm Lennox, Stuart Osborne, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
