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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 656

(x) A Great War D.S.O. group of four awarded to Chaplain 3rd Class H. W. Fox, Army Chaplain's Department, who was one of just 117 chaplains in the British Army in August 1914

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar, adapted for mounting; 1914 Star, clasp (Rev: H. W. Fox. A.C.D.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaves (Rev. H. W. Fox.), mounted court-style as worn, pin removed, otherwise good very fine (4)

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918.

Henry Watson Fox was born around 1873 and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating B.A. (Hons) in 1894 and M.A. (Hons) in 1898. Appointed Deacon in 1896 and Priest for the Diocese of Oxford in 1897, he served as Curate at St. Peter Le Bailey from 1896-1899 and continued in the role at Holy Trinity, Tunbridge Wells, from 1899-1901. Serving as Vicar of Legbourne from 1901-1905 and Rector of Cawthorpe from 1902-1905, Fox became the incumbent of the St. James District, Church Streatham, from 1905-1909, and was promoted Rector of St. Peter Le Bailey, Oxford, from 1909-1913.

Commissioned Chaplain 4th Class, Fox served in France from 28 August 1914 and received an early 'mention' (London Gazette 19 October 1914, refers) at a time when the B.E.F. and French armies attempted to race towards the sea, through the provinces of Picardy, Artois and Flanders, in an attempt to outflank the German Army. This was followed by the First Battle of Ypres from 19 October-22 November 1914 which resulted in great cost to both sides after the 'open' northern flank had disappeared and both armies began to witness with horror the scale of industrial warfare; it was at around this time that Field Marshal Sir John French and General Erich von Falkenhayn, Head of the German Staff, began to realise that the nature of war had changed forever, being now one of mass armies equipped with artillery and machine guns capable of dominating a battlefield.

Promoted Temporary Chaplain 3rd Class on 27 February 1917, Fox was posted to the 'Abbeville Area' (MIC, refers) on the Somme just in time for 'Bloody April' where German aircrews accounted for over 250 Allied machines and more than 400 pilots and air gunners. This coincided with the Second Battle of Arras from 9 April-16 May 1917 which initially displayed promise for British troops, but ultimately became a costly stalemate for the First and Third Armies culminating in 160,000 casualties. Fox was likely extremely busy during this time providing spiritual solace to the troops and assisting with troop morale. He duly earned a second 'mention' (London Gazette 24 December 1917, refers).

Discharged in early 1919, Fox likely returned to the life of a Rector, taking responsibility for his local parishioners. He also became a prolific author, responsible for writing a host of religious-based texts including, Christianity in Politics (1925), The Child's Approach to Religion (1929), Tales from the Old Testament (1933), A Method of Prayer (1934) and Loyalties to Church and State (1935); sold with correspondence from the Museum of Army Chaplaincy confirming appointments, copied MIC and private research.


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Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£800