Name
Albert Fox
15 July 1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/09/1917
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Stoker 2nd Class
K/41380
Royal Navy
H.M.S. "Sapphire"
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
KIRKEE 1914-1918 MEMORIAL
Face A.
India
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, Not on the Bishop’s Stortford memorials (*1)
Pre War
Abram Albert Fox (known as Albert) was born on 15 July 1897 in Hammersmith, London, the son of Abram/Abraham and Louisa Fox (nee Spivey) and one of ten children. He was baptised on 15 August 1897 at Holy Trinity Church, Canning Town, London.
On the 1901 Census he was living with his mother and two siblings at 140 Bravington Road, Paddington. His father was not listed with them, but his mother was working as a hairdresser. By 1911 they family were living at 6 Tucker Row, Bishops Stortford, and his father was working as a carman for a brewery. Prior to enlistment Albert was working as a switch board attendant.
His mother later lived at 103 Woodstock Street, Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town, London E16.
Wartime Service
He joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker, 2nd class, on 19 February 1917 and after training at HMS Pembroke he served on HMS Sapphire from 10 August 1917.
Albert died on 23 September 1917 in Bombay. It was recorded as an accidental death as he was found decapitated on the railway line with no evidence as to how the fatality occurred.
Although originally buried in Sewri Cemetery, Bombay, India, his remains and that of 628 other servicemen were brought to Kirkee for re-internment in 1962 and are buried in the grassed area between the Memorial and the Cross of Sacrifice. Their names are commemorated on the Kirkee Memorial, India.
Additional Information
*1 The St Albans Cathedral Diocese records suggest a connection to Bishop’s Stortford.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
