Difference between revisions of "Charles Leonard Fox"

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{{LCommRN}} '''Charles Leonard Fox''' ( – 17 October, 1917) was an officer in the [[Royal Navy]].
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{{LCommRN}} '''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 {{UK-MaryRose|f=t}}.
  
 
==Life & Career==
 
==Life & Career==
<!--
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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.<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>
  
Fox was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on  
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Fox was appointed in command of the {{UK-TB79|f=t}} on 3 January, 1905.{{NLDec05|p. 399}}
  
Fox was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on  
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Fox was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 1 April, 1906.{{NLOct13|p. 122}}<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>
-->
 
Fox was appointed in command of the {{UK-TB79|f=t}} on 3 January, 1905.{{NLDec05|p. 399}}
 
  
Fox was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 1 April, 1906.{{NLOct13|p. 122}}
+
Fox was subject to a Court of Enquiry for poor results in a gunlaying test in {{UK-Mars}} in April, 1909 in which it was found that Foster was to blame for not spending enough time on personnel and equipment.<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>
  
He was appointed in command of the {{UK-1Hardy|f=t}} on 22 February, 1910.{{NLApr10|p. 324}}
+
Fox was appointed in command of the {{UK-2Hardy|f=t}} on 22 February, 1910 and received a "very satisfactory" inspection in September.<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>
  
 
In July, 1912, Fox was appointed in command of the {{UK-TB21|f=t}}.{{NLMar13|p. 399}}
 
In July, 1912, Fox was appointed in command of the {{UK-TB21|f=t}}.{{NLMar13|p. 399}}
  
Fox was promoted to the rank of {{LCommRN}} on 1 April, 1914.{{NLJan15|p. 121}}
+
Fox was promoted to the rank of {{LCommRN}} 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 &ndash; thirty years.<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>
  
 +
==Great War==
 
On 29 July, 1914, he was appointed in command of the {{UK-TB3|f=t}}.{{NLJan15|p. 400}}
 
On 29 July, 1914, he was appointed in command of the {{UK-TB3|f=t}}.{{NLJan15|p. 400}}
  
Fox was given command of {{UK-MaryRose}} at some point, as he died while commanding her in action against the light cruisers {{DE-Bremse}} and {{DE-Brummer}}.{{KindellROH2|p. 411}}
+
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.<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>
  
==See Also==
+
Fox served in the {{UK-1Ajax|f=t}} from 14 April, 1916 to 10 February, 1917, fighting in her at the [[Battle of Jutland]].<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>
{{refbegin}}
 
{{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Leonard_Fox}}
 
{{refend}}
 
  
==Bibliography==
+
Fox was appointed in command of the {{UK-MaryRose|f=c}} in February, 1917, and would die eight months later while commanding her in action against the light cruisers {{DE-Bremse}} and {{DE-Brummer}} who were threatening a convoy Fox had been charged with escorting.{{KindellROH2|p. 411}} 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.<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refend}}
 
  
==Service Records==
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==See Also==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
 +
* [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_rv=simple&_q=ADM+Charles+Leonard+Fox Service Records]
 +
* [[H.M.S. Ajax at the Battle of Jutland]]
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Cavenagh Leveson|Arthur C. Leveson]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 79 (1886)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 79]]'''<br>3 Jan, 1905{{NLDec05|p. 399}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Aylmer Newton George Firebrace|Aylmer N. G. Firebrace]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Rawdon Napier|William R. Napier]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 79 (1886)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 79]]'''<br>3 Jan, 1905<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>{{NLDec05|p. 399}} &ndash; 12 Mar, 1906<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Douglas Faviell|Douglas Faviell]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Harry Fletcher Boughey|Edward H. F. Boughey]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hardy (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hardy'']]'''<br>22 Feb, 1910{{NLApr10|p. 324}}|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Stuart Elton Holder|Stuart E. Holder]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hardy (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hardy'']]'''<br>22 Feb, 1910<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>{{NLApr10|p. 324}} &ndash; Aug, 1910<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Cecil Rice Nicholl|Cecil R. Nicholl]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Richard William Uniacke Bayly|Richard W. U. Bayly]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hunter (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hunter'']]'''<br>Aug, 1910{{NLMar11|p. 328}}|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Richard William Uniacke Bayly|Richard W. U. Bayly]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hunter (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hunter'']]'''<br>11 Aug, 1910{{NLMar11|p. 328}}<ref>Day of month taken from predecessor.  Bayly Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/143.|D8122118}} f. 155.</ref> &ndash; 24 May, 1911<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 21 (1907)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 21]]'''<br>Jul, 1912{{NLMar13|p. 399}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Colin Alexander Gordon Hutchinson|Colin A. G. Hutchinson]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Gordon Alston Coles|Gordon A. Coles]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Boxer (1894)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Boxer'']]'''<br>24 May, 1911<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref> &ndash; 1 Aug, 1911<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Leslie Elder|William L. Elder]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Herbert Francis Littledale|Herbert F. Littledale]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 3 (1906)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 3]]'''<br>29 Jul, 1914{{NLOct15|p. 400}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Walter Fitzgerald Smithwick|Walter F. Smithwick]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Anthony Lancelot Henry Dean Coke|Anthony L. H. D. Coke]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Kangaroo (1900)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Kangaroo'']]'''<br>9 Aug, 1911<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref> &ndash; 23 May, 1912<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Montague Robert Bernard|Montague R. Bernard]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Reginald Watkins Grubb|Reginald Watkins Grubb]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Mary Rose (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Mary Rose'']]'''<br>? &ndash; 17 Oct, 1917{{KindellROH2|p. 411}}|Succeeded by<br>'''Vessel Lost'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[George Hoskins Irton Parker|George H. I. Parker]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 25 (1908)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 25]]'''<br>23 May, 1912<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref> &ndash; 11 Jun, 1912<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Robert James Buchanan|Robert J. Buchanan]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Richard Forster White|Richard F. White]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 3 (1906)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 3]]'''<br>11 Jun, 1912{{NavAppts|13 June 1912, p. 6}} &ndash; Jul, 1912|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Nigel Robert Fergusson|Nigel R. Fergusson]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Douglas Wales Smith|Arthur D. W. Smith]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 21 (1907)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 21]]'''<br>Jul, 1912<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>{{NLDec13|p. 400}} &ndash; 7 Apr, 1914<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Colin Alexander Gordon Hutchison|Colin A. G. Hutchison]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Philip Wilfred Sidney King|Philip W. S. King]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 3 (1906)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 3]]'''<br>29 Jul, 1914<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>{{NLOct15|p. 400}} &ndash; 9 Jan, 1916<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Eric Ridsdale Reed|Eric R. Reed]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Munster (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Munster'']]'''<br>Jan, 1916<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref> &ndash; 14 Apr, 1916<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Spencer Francis Russell|Spencer F. Russell]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Reginald Watkins Grubb|Reginald Watkins Grubb]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Mary Rose (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Mary Rose'']]'''<br>23 Feb, 1917<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref> &ndash; 17 Oct, 1917<ref>Fox Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/49/98.|D7604197}} f. ?.</ref>{{KindellROH2|p. 411}}|Succeeded by<br>'''Vessel Lost'''}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
Line 49: Line 50:
 
{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}
  
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fox, Charles}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fox, Charles Leonard}}
  
{{CatPerson|UK||}}
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{{CatPerson|UK|1883|1917}}
 
{{CatKilledOnActiveService|UK}}
 
{{CatKilledOnActiveService|UK}}
{{CatLieutenantCommander|UK}}
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{{CatLComm|UK}}
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{{CatBritannia|January, 1899}}
 +
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 22:58, 6 April 2022

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.[1]

Fox was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 79 on 3 January, 1905.[2]

Fox was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1906.[3][4]

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.[5]

Fox was appointed in command of the destroyer Hardy on 22 February, 1910 and received a "very satisfactory" inspection in September.[6]

In July, 1912, Fox was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 21.[7]

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.[8]

Great War

On 29 July, 1914, he was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 3.[9]

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.[10]

Fox served in the battleship Ajax from 14 April, 1916 to 10 February, 1917, fighting in her at the Battle of Jutland.[11]

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.[12] 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.[13]

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
William R. Napier
Captain of H.M. T.B. 79
3 Jan, 1905[14][15] – 12 Mar, 1906[16]
Succeeded by
Douglas Faviell
Preceded by
Stuart E. Holder
Captain of H.M.S. Hardy
22 Feb, 1910[17][18] – Aug, 1910[19]
Succeeded by
Cecil R. Nicholl
Preceded by
Richard W. U. Bayly
Captain of H.M.S. Hunter
11 Aug, 1910[20][21] – 24 May, 1911[22]
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Gordon A. Coles
Captain of H.M.S. Boxer
24 May, 1911[23] – 1 Aug, 1911[24]
Succeeded by
William L. Elder
Preceded by
Anthony L. H. D. Coke
Captain of H.M.S. Kangaroo
9 Aug, 1911[25] – 23 May, 1912[26]
Succeeded by
Montague R. Bernard
Preceded by
George H. I. Parker
Captain of H.M. T.B. 25
23 May, 1912[27] – 11 Jun, 1912[28]
Succeeded by
Robert J. Buchanan
Preceded by
Richard F. White
Captain of H.M. T.B. 3
11 Jun, 1912[29] – Jul, 1912
Succeeded by
Nigel R. Fergusson
Preceded by
Arthur D. W. Smith
Captain of H.M. T.B. 21
Jul, 1912[30][31] – 7 Apr, 1914[32]
Succeeded by
Colin A. G. Hutchison
Preceded by
Philip W. S. King
Captain of H.M. T.B. 3
29 Jul, 1914[33][34] – 9 Jan, 1916[35]
Succeeded by
Eric R. Reed
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Munster
Jan, 1916[36] – 14 Apr, 1916[37]
Succeeded by
Spencer F. Russell
Preceded by
Reginald Watkins Grubb
Captain of H.M.S. Mary Rose
23 Feb, 1917[38] – 17 Oct, 1917[39][40]
Succeeded by
Vessel Lost

Footnotes

  1. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  2. The Monthly Navy List. (December, 1905). p. 399.
  3. The Navy List. (October, 1913). p. 122.
  4. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  5. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  6. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  7. The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 399.
  8. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  9. The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 400.
  10. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  11. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  12. Kindell. Royal Navy Roll of Honour Part 2. p. 411.
  13. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  14. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  15. The Monthly Navy List. (December, 1905). p. 399.
  16. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  17. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  18. The Navy List. (April, 1910). p. 324.
  19. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  20. The Monthly Navy List. (March, 1911). p. 328.
  21. Day of month taken from predecessor. Bayly Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/143. f. 155.
  22. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  23. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  24. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  25. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  26. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  27. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  28. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  29. "Naval Appointments." The Times (London, England), 13 June 1912, p. 6.
  30. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  31. The Navy List. (December, 1913). p. 400.
  32. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  33. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  34. The Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 400.
  35. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  36. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  37. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  38. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  39. Fox Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/49/98. f. ?.
  40. Kindell. Royal Navy Roll of Honour Part 2. p. 411.