Huthwaite WW One Memorial
1914 - 1918 Remembrance
Adam Fox
Able Seaman J/5139 - Royal Navy
H.M.S. Defence
Enlisted: 1911 aged 18
Killed in Action 31st May 1916 : Aged 23
Plymouth Naval Memorial 12
Huthwaite Online WW1 Remembrance
Able Seaman J/5139 Adam Fox was born 1893 in Huthwaite. Parents 25th December 1879 Blackwell marriage between Sam Fox 22 and Miss Jane Riley 19 from Newton, finds children born between regular moves through neighbouring localities. Hucknall-under-Huthwaite 1891 addresses fullest Fox household in Windmill Cottages off Sutton Road, headed by coal miner Sam 34, and wife Jane 30, mothering Joseph 11, Sampson 9, Arthur 8, Mary H 6, George 5, Thomas 2 and Alfred F 10 months.
Adam Fox was born just two years later. That Huthwaite address thus offers accepted birthplace within Sutton-in-Ashfield. Death of his 39 year old mother Mrs Jane Fox was registered Q4 1899, which left this 8 year old living with his widower father in 1901 Sutton lodgings. But while 54 year old Sam was next listed residing as 1911 Barman at the White Lion, Sutton, Adam eludes any further local census through independently choosing a seafaring career in the Royal Navy upon reaching training age 16.
Able Seaman J/5139 Adam Fox recognises a fully trained 18 year old accepting Royal Navy 1911 service duties. The Great War claimed loss of 3 named battle ships with Seaman Fox aboard. He possibly retold surviving 2 when last on leave, noting return date back aboard HMS Defence was just days before being ultimately killed at sea in the battle of Jutland.
Plymouth Naval Memorial commemorates Adam Fox, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission added loosely submitted information. That does nonetheless, relate parents of elder brother Pte George Fox also listed on the Huthwaite cenotaph.
Huthwaite Sailor's End - Sinks with the "Defence"
A Huthwaite man who went down with H.M.S. “Defence” was Able Seaman Adam Fox, a son of Mr. S. Fox, who resides at Newton. He was 21 years of age, and had been in the navy over seven years. He had been on the "Defence" for three years, and was a "seaman ?????". He was on leave quite recently, and only arrived on his ship again on the 21st. of May, the vessel then proceeding on what proved to be its last journey. Seaman Fox, it is curious to note, had served in two other ships which lie on the ocean bed, the “Irresistible” and the “Inflexible2. During his seven years’ service he had visited many parts of the world, and had twice crossed the equator.
(summary)
A memorial service was held for A.B. Adam Fox the Huthwaite naval man who went down with the “Defence” in the battle of Jutland and for the officers and men who were lost in the same battle. The congregation was described as numerous, the Union Jack flown at half-mast and psalms and hymns were sung. A personal friend of Fox was also present – a man from another ship involved in the battle. The Dead March from "Saul" was played.
23 Jul 06 by Gary Elliott Updated 09 Jul 12