Charles Leonard Fox

Lieutenant-Commander Charles Leonard Fox (30 December, 1883 – 17 October, 1917) was an officer in the Royal Navy who would die in action in command of the destroyer Mary Rose.

Life & Career

Fox failed a pilotage examination in April of 1904 but passed on a second effort in June with 810 of 1,000 marks. He would likewise fail his first gunnery exam in October but then obtain a second-class certificate in mid December.

Fox was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 79 on 3 January, 1905.

Fox was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1906.

Fox was subject to a Court of Enquiry for poor results in a gunlaying test in Mars in April, 1909 in which it was found that Foster was to blame for not spending enough time on personnel and equipment.

Fox was appointed in command of the destroyer Hardy on 22 February, 1910 and received a "very satisfactory" inspection in September.

In July, 1912, Fox was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 21.

Fox was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 1 April, 1914 and on the 22nd of that month applied for consideration in the Airship Section of the Royal Flying Corps. This was refused owing to his age – thirty years.

Great War

On 29 July, 1914, he was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 3.

It was decided on 11 March, 1916 to relieve Fox in command of Munster for gross carelessness on his part in the loss of private signals from the ship.

Fox served in the battleship Ajax from 14 April, 1916 to 10 February, 1917, fighting in her at the Battle of Jutland.

Fox was appointed in command of the "M" Class destroyer Mary Rose in February, 1917, and would die eight months later while commanding her in action against the light cruisers Bremse and Brummer who were threatening a convoy Fox had been charged with escorting. A Court of Enquiry into the loss considered that Fox had erred in deciding to engage the German cruisers rather than simply to signal their presence. The Admiralty agreed, but felt that Fox's assertive action was in keeping with cherished ideals of naval service. He received a special mention in despatches for his efforts, gazetted 7 August, 1918.

See Also

• Service Records
• H.M.S. Ajax at the Battle of Jutland

Naval Appointments
Preceded by William R. Napier	Captain of H.M. T.B. 79 3 Jan, 1905 – 12 Mar, 1906	Succeeded by Douglas Faviell
Preceded by Stuart E. Holder	Captain of H.M.S. Hardy 22 Feb, 1910 – Aug, 1910	Succeeded by Cecil R. Nicholl
Preceded by Richard W. U. Bayly	Captain of H.M.S. Hunter 11 Aug, 1910 – 24 May, 1911	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Gordon A. Coles	Captain of H.M.S. Boxer 24 May, 1911 – 1 Aug, 1911	Succeeded by William L. Elder
Preceded by Anthony L. H. D. Coke	Captain of H.M.S. Kangaroo 9 Aug, 1911 – 23 May, 1912	Succeeded by Montague R. Bernard
Preceded by George H. I. Parker	Captain of H.M. T.B. 25 23 May, 1912 – 11 Jun, 1912	Succeeded by Robert J. Buchanan
Preceded by Richard F. White	Captain of H.M. T.B. 3 11 Jun, 1912 – Jul, 1912	Succeeded by Nigel R. Fergusson
Preceded by Arthur D. W. Smith	Captain of H.M. T.B. 21 Jul, 1912 – 7 Apr, 1914	Succeeded by Colin A. G. Hutchison
Preceded by Philip W. S. King	Captain of H.M. T.B. 3 29 Jul, 1914 – 9 Jan, 1916	Succeeded by Eric R. Reed
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Munster Jan, 1916 – 14 Apr, 1916	Succeeded by Spencer F. Russell
Preceded by Reginald Watkins Grubb	Captain of H.M.S. Mary Rose 23 Feb, 1917 – 17 Oct, 1917	Succeeded by Vessel Lost