William Fox M.M.

Died of Wounds on the 16/07/1918 in the 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Station from a compound fracture of his skull and shrapnel wounds in his back that penetrated his abdomen. Wounds received at Annequin near Bethune

The Royal Engineers 409th (Lowland) Field Company were part of the 1st Division and arrived in France in August 1914. William arrived in France on the 16/12/1914. Before the war William was a member of the local Company of the Royal Engineers and when mobilised at the outbreak of war he spent over 3 and a half years in France before he fell. William is listed as 2/CPL on the Memorial and Acting 2nd Corporal on the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (see photos for more information on William and his family). William was awarded his Military Medal in February 1917 for conspicuous bravery and for his gallantry carrying out important duties under gas shell fire. William Died of Wounds after he was hit by a stray shell whilst working on new defences with Corporal Craig of Gartcosh at Annequin near Bethune. His parents received numerous letters of sympathy from comrades and friends. SEE PHOTOS x 11 FOR THE 409th (LOWLAND) FIELD COMPANY WAR DIARY JUNE - JULY 1918. William is also remembered on the Gartsherrie Works and on the Free Church Rolls of Honour and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for William's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, William's Pension Records x 2, Pernes British Cemetery and the Royal Engineers Cap Badge. William's grave inscription reads "GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND OUR STRENGTH". Finally, see photos for the 1st Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he received his wounds) and Newspaper clippings x 7 (Coatbridge Express x 3, Coatbridge Leader x 3 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1).