Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles John Fox, a dressmaker’s supplier, born on the 6th September 1855 in Heather, Leicestershire (son of Richard Fox, 1825-1906 and Catherine Kirkman, 1829-1905) and his wife Annie Elizabeth Fox (nee Simpson, married in the July quarter of 1887 in Nottinghamshire), born in the April quarter of 1859 in Worksop, Nottinghamshire (daughter of William Simpson, 1833 and Fanny Brooks, 1834). William Simpson, a schoolboy, was born in the July quarter of 1892 in St. Martin’s, Leicester, his siblings were, Ellen Catherine, a schoolgirl, born on the 30th December 1890, Mary, a schoolgirl, born on the 19th July 1895 and Clara, born on the 16th July 1898, all his siblings were born in Leicester, also residing with the family was William’s paternal uncle, Arthur Morris Fox, a porter, born in the January quarter of 1860 in Heather, in March 1901 the family home was at 20, Welford Place, Pocklington’s Walk, Leicester. In April 1911 William was employed as an apprentice draper and was residing in the family home at 20, Pocklington’s Walk, Leicester, together with his father, a draper, his mother, assisting in the family business and his siblings, Ellen, assisting in the family business, Mary, an apprentice dressmaker, Clara, a schoolgirl and George Ernest, a schoolboy, born on the 1st February 1905 in Leicester. William’s father died on the 30th November 1915 in Leicester, aged 60.
FAMILY NOTE: William’s father had previously married Clara Banister on the 28th February 1882 in Battle, Sussex, Clara was born in the January quarter of 1858 in Battle, Sussex, they had a son, Charles Percival Fox, who was born on the 21st December 1882 and who died on the 16th September 1915 in Arizona, USA., Clara died on the 8th April 1886 in Leicester, aged 28.
William enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 7th September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 2667. He gave his place of birth as St. Martin’s, Leicester and age as 22 years 1 month. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as wholesale draper. He gave his present address as 22, Pocklington’s Walk, Leicester.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 7th September 1914 and recorded that he was 6-foot in height, weighed 152 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 36 and 38 inches and his vision was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Charles J. Fox, 20, Pocklington’s Walk, Leicester.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Posted. 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 7/9/14.
Embodied service commenced. Pte. 7/9/14.
Transferred. To North Midland Divisional Cycle Company. Lance Corporal. Allotted Service Number 221. 13/11/14.
Embarked. With 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 1/3/15.
Landed. Le Havre. 2/3/15.
Appointed. Lance Sergeant. In the Field. 2/4/15.
Promoted. Acting Sergeant. In the Field. 28/4/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 7/9/14 – 1/3/15. 176 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 13/10/15. 226 days.
Total Service. 1 year 37 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Friday, November 12th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. - THE ROLL OF HONOUR. – News has been received of the death of Sgt. W. S. FOX, of the 1/4th Leicester’s, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Fox, 20, Pocklington’s Walk, Leicester. Sergeant Fox, who was one of the leaders of “A” Company, was killed on October 13th, in the charge on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. He enlisted in September of last year, and went out to the front in February this year. He was at home on leave three weeks before he was killed. He formerly played for the Y.M.C.A. football club as three quarter back.
On Saturday, November 13th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. LEICESTERS: FALLEN OR MISSING - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Sergt. FOX, 4th Leicester’s, killed on Oct. 13th in attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. His home was at 20, Pocklington’s-walk.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Born July –Sept 1892 in Leicester. In 1911 he was working as an apprentice draper and living at 22 Pocklington Walk, Leicester. His father, a draper employing others, was born in Heather, Leicestershire, and his mother was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. He had a brother and two sisters. He enlisted on Sept 7 1914.
He was killed in action during the Battle for the Hohenzollern Redoubt, which was the major action involving the 1/4 Battalion of the Leicestershire regiment during WW1.