South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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 The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One

Private 164584 Ernest Harry FOX - A Company - Section 4 of the 100th Bn, Machine Gun Corps


Killed in Action Thursday October 17th, 1918 aged 30

1830 Pte Harry Fox150 grave for harry fox150  HighlandCem  Yeomanry Band 1912 150
 Military History

Theatre

France & Flanders

Action/Battle/Other

Hundred Days Offensive

Place of Death

near Reumont

 

Medals

1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals

Medal Citation (if app)

~

Enlisted Date/Place

24 Jan 1912 at Warwick

 

Commonwealth War Graves Page

Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau

SWFHS War Memorial(s)

Other War Memorial(s).

 

Other Information/Previous Regiments/Units

  • Previously Private 1830 Warwickshire Yeomanry
  • Member of Warwickshire Yeomanry Band 1912 - 1914
  • Arrived in Egypt 20 Apr 1915
  • Survived the sinking of the Leasowe Castle Troop Ship

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)

An Operational order contained in the War Diary states that on 17 Oct 1918 the Division would attack unnamed objectives near the St. Quentin canal following the success at the Battle of Bellenglise. The description of the day is very vague and we cannot produce an accurate map based on the information given in the war diary. We do know that Harry would have been killed by a direct hit from shell fire which "caused casualties". The Battalion was billetted at Reumont.
 
However more details of the action can be found in Hon. H.A.A. Adderleys - The Warwickshire Yeomanry in the Great War which states on page 194:
 
"The battalion having retired Premont which was crowded with troops, rested in place until the 16th when they moved up to take part in the attack on Le Cateau fixed for the next day (October 17th).
 
A and B Companies with two sections of D (S.N.H.) were divided into groups or batteries and put up barrages to cover the Infantry advance. One of the batteries in No 1 group detailed from A Company completed its work in 15 minutes, and was then shelled out of its position. The others fired for about 50 minutes, when a direct hit put one gun out of action [see above]. The No. 3 group (from B Company) directed their fire on the Railway Triangle and Cutting S. of Le. Cateau to cover the attack, and on the following day the battalion acted in support of the right flank of the division (25th and 13th Corps) west of the town.
 
Both Companies remained in position until after dark on the 19th when they were relieved by the 18th M.G.C. and concentrated at Maurois and Reumont, finally returning to the old billets at Premont on October 20th".
 
We are very grateful for the assistance of the Warwickshire Yeomany Museum for their help with compiling this research, for the photographs of Private Fox and the Yeomanry Band (which are copyright of the museum) and the extract from the Hon. H. Adderley's book.
 Personal & Family History

Birth Date & Place

Jul Qtr 1888 at Leamington Spa

Baptism Date & Place

8 Jul 1888 Leamington All Saints

Parents

John Henry and Eliza Fox of Bishops Tachbrook

Schools & Colleges

Wife & Marriage

  • Beatrice nee Higgerston
  • Jan Qtr 1912 at Leamington Spa

Children

~

 

 

Occupations

  • 1901 - School
  • 1911 - Cowman on Farm
  • 1912 - Yeomanry Soldier

Address History

  • 1888 - Parker Street, Leamington Spa
  • 1901 - 13 Park Street, Leamington Spa
  • 1911 - Highdown Cottages, Bishops Tachbrook
  • 1912 - Whitnash (Yeomanry Records)
  • 1914 - 12 East Grove, Leamington Spa (Yeomanry Records)

Other Information

 

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