Fox, Arthur William George

Age: Not known
Date of birth: Not Known

Parents: Walter & Elsie Fox
Wife: Single
Address: 21 Beauchamp Road, Emscote, Warwick

Occupation: Not known

We are unable to find out when Arthur was born. His family were living at 8 Stamford Place, Leamington Spa in 1911 and father Walter (b1884) is described as a “Builder’s Time Keeper.” Also at the address at that time are Harold Walter (1905-1965), Mary Elizabeth (1908-1970) and Elsie Evelyn (1909-1916). Arthur’s parents were married in Warwick in 1905.

By the time of the 1939 Register, the family are living at 21 Beauchamp Road. Arthur’s sister, Mary is still at home and working as a Music Teacher. She later went on to marry in 1955 – Skelsey was her married name. There are two redactions on the Register, so this could have been Arthur and one of his other siblings. We have had difficulty in tracing them beyond this date.

Arthur’s father died before him early in 1942 aged 57. His mother, Elsie died in 1955 in Warwick and left Probate to her daughter Mary Skelsey.

 

Military Service

Rank & Number: Sergeant, 1815826
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Brigade/Division: 77 Squadron
Date of death: 30th July 1943
Cause of death/Battle: Killed in action - his aircraft was shot down enroute to Hamburg and all the crew were killed
Commemorated/Buried: Buried in Kiel War Cemetery, Germany. 1. B. 6.
Awards:
Commemorated locally at: St Paul's Church, All Saints Church

Arthur was based at Elvington Airfield, Yorkshire. Originally a grass airfield, RAF Elvington was completely rebuilt with three hardened runways in 1942. The operational aircraft were Handley Page Halifax four-engined bombers operated by 77 Squadron RAF. Arthur was an Air Gunner.

The squadron took part in the Battle of the Ruhr and in many other operations aimed at the destruction of the German war industry. Whilst at Elvington, 77 Squadron lost 82 aircraft and 450 aircrew (comprising of Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders as well as British) and this comprised more than half their fatalities during the whole war. 77 Squadron lost a total of 883 airman. A total of 20 000 air gunners were killed serving with Bomber Command during WW2.

Arthur is buried in Kiel War Cemetery, Germany:

Contributors

  • Unlocking Warwick Research Group
  • Warwick Advertiser excerpts courtesy of Warwickshire County Record Office

Leave a Reply