Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of James Fox and Jane Fox of Urana, NSW

Commenced return to Australia on 23 June 1919 aboard HT Orita disembarking on the 9 August 1919

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

During 1935c  Lawrence married Dulcie Jones in Urana, NSW

Lawrence Leslie Fox (Larry) was born in 9 November 1891[1] in the country town of Urana, New South Wales, Australia, to James Joseph Fox (1845–1909) and Jane Mary Moloney (1853–1919). He grew up in a large family with his 13 siblings - Louise Fox (1871–), Mary Jane Fox (1873–), James Patrick Fox (1874–1932), Hubert James Fox (1877–1929), John Joseph Fox (1880–1905), Ernest Claude Fox (1880–1929), Catherine Fox (1884–), Julian Joyce Fox (1885–1924), Vincent Joseph Fox (1886–1929), Annie Christine Fox (1888–1906), Leo Patrick Fox (1892–1960), Eileen Ruby Fox (1894–1979) and Philomena Angela Fox (1897–1923)[2].

According to Laurence Leslie Fox’s service records[3] he enlisted in Cootamundra 21st November 1916 at the age of 21 years and 1 month and was appointed as a Private in A Company. Embarking for overseas duties from Australia 24th January 1917. Before he left, he and 2 other local soldiers were “bid adieu” with a musical programme and gifts of an “illuminated wristlet watch” and a “parcel of comforts” each by the Urana community.[4] He saw service in France with the 54th Battalion and the 56th Battalions.

Heavy casualties throughout 1918 and declining enlistments in Australia resulted in a decision in mid-September 1918 to disband several Australian battalions to reinforce others; in the 14th Brigade this battalion was to be the 54th. The men mutinied in response, however the 54th fought its last major battle of the war, St Quentin Canal, between 29 Sept- 2 Oct 1918 and on 11 Oct and was merged with the 56th Battalion to form the 54/56th Battalion.[5] [6]. In order to preserve the “espirit de corp” the men were allowed to retain their colours.[7]

According to his service records, Lawrence was WOUNDED IN ACTION in the field 19/9/1917, this is possibly miswritten, representing the gassing events occurring at Westhoek Ridge between 17-27th October 1917[8]. He continued his service until he was discharged 16th September 1919.

In Dec 1918, his mother shared a letter with the local paper in which Laurence wrote about “going over the top”, how he was looking forward to meeting up with friends from home including Peter McKinnon (SERN 3527), the capture of Peronne and his pride in Australian soldiers.[9]

On his return to civilian life, Lawrence was very lucky to marry Katherine Thornton (1905-1991) Wednesday 18 January 1928 and stay in his home town of Urana, beginning life together on a property they called “Avoca”.[10]

Buried in Urana Cemetery on Lake Road, New South Wales, Australia, his headtsone bears the inscription: “3379 PRIVATE L.L. FOX 56 BATTALION 14th JANUARY 1957 AGE 66 DEARLY LOVED AND SADLY MISSED BY HS WIFE KATHERINE AND FAMILY”. At the foot is another plaque to the memory of his wife Katherine which reads: IN LOVING MEMORY OF KATHERINE MARJORIE FOX  (THORNTON) 23.4.1905 – 6.1.91 DEARLY LOVED AND SADLY MISSED BY JOHN, RON, MAUREEN, JUDITH, MICHAEL AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Not far from this site lies another soldier, Leslie Laurence (Beau) Fox NX102908 born 5 June 1918. This soldier was born to Lawrence Leslie Fox’s brother, Hubert James Fox. Was the relationship of the family so close to honour each other with a name so similar? Or was this a tradition carried down? This was certainly an interesting puzzle to research and try to unravel.

Lawrence Leslie Fox received the British war Medal (2/68 67867) and the Victory Medal (2/66 65281).

Along with many other military servicemen of WWI, his name was unveiled on a wooden plaque in the Urana Hall (originally Urana Mechanics Institute and School of Arts and from 1923 the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall)[11] in 1919 inscribed as L, FOX.[12] His name is also amongst the soldiers honoured on the Urana and District Honour Roll Memorial (1998) on Anna Street in Urana, New South Wales, Australia as FOX. L.[13]

NOTE: both official records and news articles switch between the spelling of “Laurence” and “Lawrence” [14] and interchange his first and middle names.

[1] Urana Independent and Clear Hills Standard  “Wounded” 9 Nov 1917 p2
<http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116173964 (nla.gov.au)> accessed from the National Library of Australia 15 Dec 2023 
[2] Johnson, Brian W. Family group sheet - James Joseph Fox and Jane Mary Moloney. <Ancestrylibrary.com.au (/explore/projects/122925/Ancestrylibrary.com.au)>. accessed 14 Dec 2023.
[3] National Archives of Australia (NAA). <https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4019548 (recordsearch.naa.gov.au)>
accessed 14 Dec 2023.
[4] Urana Independent and Clear Hills Standard  “Soldiers farewelled” 24 Nov 1916 p2
<http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116170484 (nla.gov.au)> accessed from the National Library of Australia 14 Dec 2023.
[5] Australian War Memorial “54th Australian Infantry Battalion” <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51494 (www.awm.gov.au)> accessed from the Australian War Memorail 16 Dec 2023.
[6] AIF War Diaries 1914-1918 War 54th Infantry Battalion Sept 1918 p14 < https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1007402/bundled/RCDIG1007402.pdf (s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com)> accessed from the Australian War Memorail 17 Dec 2023.
[7] AIF War Diaries 1914-1918 War 54th Infantry Battalion Oct 1918 p9 <https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1007403/bundled/RCDIG1007403.pdf (s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com)> accessed from the Australian War Memorail 17 Dec 2023. 
[8] AIF War Diaries 1914-1918 War 54th Infantry Battalion Oct 1917 p7-10 <https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/RCDIG1007390/bundled/RCDIG1007390.pdf (s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com)> accessed from the Australian War Memorail 17 Dec 2023. 
[9] Urana Independent and Clear Hills Standard  “A soldier’s letter” Fri 6 Dec 1918 p5
<http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116177863 (nla.gov.au)> accessed from the National Library of Australia 14 Dec 2023.
[10] Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga). “Wedding. Fox-Thornton” 19 Jan 1928 p6
<https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/145169921 (trove.nla.gov.au)>. accessed from the National Library of Australia 14 Dec 2023.
[11] Urana Soldiers' Memorial Hall. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urana_Soldiers%27_Memorial_Hall (en.wikipedia.org)> accessed from Wikipedia 15 Dec 2023.[12] Urana Independent and Clear Hills Standard. “Unveiling Honour Roll” 24 Jan 1919 p5 <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/116178441/11532809 (trove.nla.gov.au)> accessed 15 Dec 2023.
[13] War Memorials Register. <https://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/memorials/urana-and-district-honour-roll (www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au)> accessed 15 Dec 2023.
[14] University of NSW Canberra. AIF Project <https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=102726 (www.aif.adfa.edu.au)> accessed 15 Dec 2023.