FOX, David ?-1918

FOX

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 5/30/2010 at 19:26:06

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
7 May 1918
Page 9

Members of "Real Fighting" Family Located in Waterloo

Sergt. David Fox, formerly of Waterloo, was killed in action somewhere in France March 23. His sister, Mrs. Alfred Pett, residing at 206 Norimer street, received a letter from a brother, Herbert, yesterday, stating that David had been killed by a 12-inch shell. Both brothers were members of the Seventh Princess Royal Dragoon guards.

Sergt. Fox was an Englishman by birth and had previously served seven years with this regiment, which time was spent largely in Egypt and India. He came to Waterloo in 1913 and had lived here about 18 months when the European war broke out. Being on the British reserve, he was immediately called back for service. He left this city in September, 1914, and went to Quebec, then to England, where he was engaged in drilling troops until June 21, 1915. At the time he enlisted in England, his regiment was in India and he was not transferred to his original regiment until about ayear ago.

Active Service for Three Years.

This English war hero had been in active, almost continuous service on the western front for three years and had never been injured or sick. At Christmas time he was given a short furlough and visited his mother, who lives with a daughter-in-law in Strood, Rochester, Kent, England. It was the first time he had seen his mother in five years. At that time he had his picture taken and sent to his sister here. He wrote Mrs. Pett expressing great satisfaction that the Yankees had come to help finish their work, and stated he was anxious to get back to America and Waterloo.

A Family of Soldiers.

The Fox family is a family of soldiers. The father had served 21 years with the Seventh Princess Royal Dragoon guards and the oldest son, Oliver, seven years. As Mrs. Pett has not heard from this brother for many months, she thinks he has probably been called into service by now. A cousin was in this regiment, but has been missing since early in the war. Relatives were never able to learn just what his fate was, whether killed or taken prisoner. The brother, Herbert, who is still with the Seventh Princess guards, is a veterinary surgeon. He has been in active duty at the front since October, 1914, and has never been wounded. At one time his helmet was struck by a German bullet and torn apart, but he was unharmed.

Mrs. Pett has one brother, William, in the navy. For many months he was on a mine sweeper in the North sea and once was reported missing, but after three months was found. He is now on the battleship Crescent. Another brother, now deceased, also served an enlistment in the English navy.

Mr. Pett in Boer War.

Mr. Pett saw active service during the Boer war, having served with the Royal field artillery. She has but one sister, whose husband is physically disabled for war duty.

The last letters she has had from relatives in England tell of the seriousness of the food situation there. Sugar and many other staple food products are unobtainable. People have ration cards and their food supply is very limited.

Mrs. Pett is glad she is an American. She is willing to do all she can to conserve the food, buy liberty bonds, thrift stamps or do anything she can if it will relieve the suffering of her people, but she does not want to go back to England. She stated yesterday she was thankful they came to America nine years ago and she was proud to be a citizen of this great republic.

Sergt. David Fox was engaged to Miss Elizabeth McFarland of Waterloo. Miss McFarland is a Scottish lassie and is employed by Dr. Carl Bickley.