Thomas Fox

Pte 13th Btn Welsh Regiment 285225

Died: 26-04-1918 age 20

Thomas was the youngest child of Michael and Ann Fox. Michael was born in Caernarvonshire and Ann was born in Shrewsbury. Michael joined the Militia at a young age and in 1871 was billeted, with three other Militia men, with the Jones family who lived near Mold. Ten years later Michael was a patient in a military hospital at Stoke Davenport. It is possible that he married Ann Done in early 1875 at Manchester.  In the 1891 census they are living at Gresford and have four children, Julia, Ann, Katie and Michael. Michael Snr is working as a tin miner and it appears that he has moved around the country since he left the Militia, as his children are born in Neston, Wilmslow, Oswestry and Penymynydd respectively. Peter was later born at Rossett, then Maggie and Thomas were born at Holywell.p>

Sadly Thomas died in Wrexham in 1899 age 44 and his widow moved with the children to Chester. First they lived at Parry's Entry and later at 57 Steven Street. Ann worked as a licensed hawker to support her family. Her youngest son Thomas enlisted with the 7th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment at Chester. His enlistment papers have not survived, so we have very few details of Thomas' army career. At some stage he was sent to France, possibly early in 1916. It was probably here that he was transferred to the Welsh Regiment. Thomas died on 26 April 1918 and was buried in Grave I.D.15 at Bagneux Cemetery, Gezaincourt.

Thomas was entitled to receive the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal. His name is listed on the Memorial Board in Chester Town Hall.