Son of Mrs A.E. Fox, Fakenham, Norfolk. In 1901 Census living in Great Ryburgh, Norfolk. Living in house near school, head of house Harry Fox (aged 34, born Brancaster, Norfolk), working as maltsters’ labourer. Also in house Amy E. Fox, wife (aged 31, born Great Ryburgh), son Herbert W. Fox (aged 6, born Gt. Ryburgh), daughter May V. Fox (aged 3, born Croxton) and son Cecil H. Fox (aged 1, born Gt. Ryburgh) In 1911 Census Herbert Walton Fox living at 18 Cecily Hill, Cirencester, working as domestic under gardener (aged 16, born Croxton, Norfolk). Nephew of the head of house, George Lionel Smith (aged 47, licensed victualler, born Ashwick, Norfolk). Also in the house: Hannah Elizabeth Smith, wife (aged 48, born Ryburgh, Norfolk); and daughter, Amy May Smith (aged 16, born London). George and Hannah Smith had been married 18 years, with 1 child. 

Wilts & Glos Standard, October 3 1914

A CICETER MAN IN THE BATTLE OF MONS

“Easier than shooting rabbits!” Private Herbert Fox, of the 2nd Wilts Regiment, son of Mrs G.L. Smith [?, see above], who formerly resided at the Dolphin Inn, Cecily Hill, Cirencester, spent a portion of his sick furlough at Cirencester last week, and had many thrilling stories to tell of his experiences at the front. Private Fox had shared in the early part of the campaign, and had been invalided home through being laid low with an attack of dysentery. He stated that at the declaration of war he was stationed with his regiment at Gibraltar, which fortress the now well-known German battleships, the Goeben and Breslau, passed less than ten minutes before the declaration of war. The news of the outbreak of the war was a signal for extra preparations of their station, and the men of the Wilts, with other regiments, were soon busily engaged in placing barb wire entanglements, charged with electricity, around their rocky fortress. This was chiefly for the purpose of interning German and other hostile prisoners, many hundreds of whom were soon taken from passing ships. Later, orders were received that two drafts of Private Fox’s battalion were required to complete the war strength of the 1st Wilts Regiment, and Private Fox was proud of the fact that he was included in the first draft. These were shipped to Southampton, where they joined the 1st Wilts, and crossed the Channel to Calais almost immediately. The day of the week and month was forgotten in excitement, and after a long train journey through “beautiful France,” the Wilts were detrained at point about 40 miles from the Franco-Belgian frontier. A forced march to the now historic village of Mons tried all ranks, but officers and men alike were in good spirits and all ready “to do or die.” Soon after arrival the Wilts, in conjunction with other regiments, had to entrench themselves, a work which Private Fox describes as a “bit thick” after such a forced march, but he added that the value of such precautions was untold when the enemy’s heavy artillery opened fire. The din was incessant all day – that was Sunday, August 23rd – and the British lines, who were hard pressed through the superior numbers of the enemy, waited in vain for expected reinforcements. This, said Private Fox, was very disappointing, and he understood that a French officer of high rank had suffered the full penalty for failing to carry out the orders for reinforcements. After fighting strenuously all day, the order was given next morning to retire, and this the British brigade did in a masterly manner. Private Fox had a great admiration for the Germans’ artillery fire and range, but great contempt for the German infantry’s musketry powers and methods of advance. He ridiculed the enemy’s close formation in attack, and with grim humour added “It was easier than shooting rabbits!” and he further expressed the opinion that the German losses must have been very heavy in the engagement at Mons. During the process of the retirement, Private Fox was seized with an acute attack of dysentery, and was conveyed in an ambulance to a rest-hospital, whence he was taken to one of the base hospitals in Paris. Whilst there, news was received that the enemy had been located within 16 miles of Paris. The hospital authorities at once took steps to remove the sick and wounded to safe quarters, and two days later Private Fox, with others, was landed at Southampton, where after a few days’ treatment, he was granted 14 days’ sick leave. He returned to his regimental depot on Monday last, and hopes to be included in a draft of his regiment which leaves for the front at a near date. Private Fox, before enlistment, was a member of the Ciceter Company of the Church Lads’ Brigade, and he paid a tribute to the value of the training he had received in that corps. 

With thanks to Steve Bushby for the photograph of Herbert Fox and sharing the Norfolk link: see also www.standrewsgreatryburgh.org.uk/world-war-1-commemorations for further details