Lot Essay
Gunner C.H. Fox, D.C.M., was posthumously decorated for his gallantry at Paardeberg. He was recommended to Lord Roberts by Major-General Clements:
'I desire to bring to your Lordship's notice the very gallant and cool behaviour of a young soldier of the 76th Battery R.F.A.: No. 29492 Gunner C.H. Fox and to express a hope that you may recommend this man to receive the medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field. On Feb. 18th, the Battery was in action against the Boer laager. About 4p.m. the Battery was fired into from behind by Boers who had occupied Kitchener's kopje; two sections were thereupon ordered to come into action in that direction. As the order was given a volley from a 1 pounder Vicker Maxim Q.F. [Quick firing] gun was poured on the Battery. One shell burst on the gun to which Gunner Fox belonged, knocking the detachment out of time. Gunner Fox sprang to his feet and entirely by himself turned the gun around, loaded and laid it in the new direction. Gunner Fox had several marks from the effect of the shell. One man was killed and five wounded at the same time. Gunner Fox, I may add, has only 18 months service' (War Office records refer).
Fox died of enteric fever at Winburg on 9.5.1900. He was twice posthumously Mentioned in Despatches by Lord Roberts (London Gazettes 8.2.1901 and 10.9.1901 refer).
'I desire to bring to your Lordship's notice the very gallant and cool behaviour of a young soldier of the 76th Battery R.F.A.: No. 29492 Gunner C.H. Fox and to express a hope that you may recommend this man to receive the medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field. On Feb. 18th, the Battery was in action against the Boer laager. About 4p.m. the Battery was fired into from behind by Boers who had occupied Kitchener's kopje; two sections were thereupon ordered to come into action in that direction. As the order was given a volley from a 1 pounder Vicker Maxim Q.F. [Quick firing] gun was poured on the Battery. One shell burst on the gun to which Gunner Fox belonged, knocking the detachment out of time. Gunner Fox sprang to his feet and entirely by himself turned the gun around, loaded and laid it in the new direction. Gunner Fox had several marks from the effect of the shell. One man was killed and five wounded at the same time. Gunner Fox, I may add, has only 18 months service' (War Office records refer).
Fox died of enteric fever at Winburg on 9.5.1900. He was twice posthumously Mentioned in Despatches by Lord Roberts (London Gazettes 8.2.1901 and 10.9.1901 refer).