In October 1933 Alexander married at First Baptist Church in Wallaceburg Vera Agnes (Hooktwith) Fox, the couple’s first home was on the Skinner farm but they would move to a house at 624 Murray St. in Wallaceburg where they had two daughters Bonnie Lou in August of 1939 and Ruth Ann (1941). Alex worked on the Skinner farm until 1942 when he was hired at the Dominion Glass Co. working in the shipping department. Alex was quite adept at mechanical task, especially wood working and carpentry.  As a married man with two children he was exempt from military service until the draft called him up for service. He would enlist 12/11/43 with the Essex Scottish Regt., B – Coy. beginning his training at Ipperwash and London.

As a married man with two children he was exempt from military service until the draft called him up for service. He would enlist 12/11/43 with the Essex Scottish Regt., B – Coy. beginning his training at Ipperwash and London. He was honoured at a party put on by his sister Mrs. Thomas Kiloride of Whitebread. WN 11/11/13

In May of 1944 Cpl. Fox would go overseas and later to France. Alex served in Holland, and in Germany and it was during an action near the Hachwald Forest a German mortar shell explosion would end his life.

Age 29, KIA – Date of Death: 02/03/1945. A fellow comrade in the Essex Scottish Art Deschamps gives the following account of Pte. Fox’s death:

“We had just taken three German prisoners. Alex and I were in a trench when a German mortar landed in our position killing Alex. I could see the whites of his eyes. I was right beside him and only got some shrapnel in my knee. It was in this same encounter that Major Allen won the Victoria Cross during action just prior to our troops crossing the Rhine River.”

A letter of condolence follows:

 

 

“ON ACTIVE SERVICE”

 

Essex Scottish Regt.

B-Coy.

Can. Army Overseas

 

Dear Mrs. Fox,

 

     May I carry to you the deepest sympathy and understanding of all of the officers and men of B-Coy in the loss of your husband A108837 Cpl. A. Fox, who was killed in action while serving with his Regt. on 24 March, 1945.

 

     His fatal injury was received when a shell hit the truck which he occupied. He is now resting in a cemetery at the northern edge of the Hochweld Forest where the main road enters the forest.

 

     Alex as he was effectionally known by the boys in his platoon was a very good N.C.O. and very popular with the boys in the platoon even though he had only been been with it for a short time but an old member of the company.

 

     I hope these few words will bring a small measure of comfort to you in your very great loss.

 

 

                                                  James A. W [unreadable]   

 

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: XXI. E. 7.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	No Return Ticket - Wallaceburg War Casualties - Alan Mann 2002, Index of Overseas Deaths, Cemetery: GROESBEEK CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, NRT, , ,,, IOSD,, CVWM, DND-RH, W-RH, Vis – IODE, L. Burke.
Supplemental Information	Born 7/10/1915 at Whitebread, Kent Co., ON. The son of William and Mary Anne Fox of Wallaceburg, Ontario; brother of Robert (Ted), David, James, Mary, Rachel. Alexander attended Whitebread Public School.

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