Walter Samuel Fox

A Private with 12th Divisional Cyclist Company Army Cyclist Corps, Walter died on 28th of October 1915 at the age of 26. 

Walter was born at Lowestoft on 27 June 1889, a son of Samuel Robert and Elizabeth Fox. He was baptised at Saint John’s Church, Lowestoft, on 17 July 1889, and his family lived at Town Cottages, Rotterdam Road. In 1891 their address was 4 Town Cottages, Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft, and this was Walter’s home for the rest of his life. 

In 1911 Walter worked on the trawler Sunshine, LT 959, at Padstow.

Walter was working as a fisherman when he volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft on 18 August 1914. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 9412, and, on 19 August 1914, he was posted to the 7th Battalion. On 30 January 1915 he was transferred to the Army Cyclist Corps, number 2880, and posted to the 12th Divisional Cyclist Company. He arrived in France, with his unit, on 31 May 1915. 

The War Diary for the 12th Divisional Cyclist Company has the following entry for 6 October 1915:

Took over billets at La Bourse, the company once more bring entirely split up for duties under the Assistant Provost Marshal from this date to the 21st. The following casualties Private Bragg – seriously wounded, Corporal Pearce – died, Private Fox – mortally wounded, Private Turnbull – wounded.

Walter had received gunshot wound to his head. He was evacuated to Rouen and he died of his wounds at 12th General Hospital, Rouen, at 6.50 p.m. on 28 October 1915.  

His mother was sent his personal effects: one packet of correspondence and postcards. 

Note: some sources give Walter's date of death as 29 October, but copies of the original telegrams notifying his family, and others, of his death, are found in his service papers and very clearly state the date and time that he died.