Thomas Clifford Fox

 1916 was a leap year.  29^th of February 1916, Thomas Clifford Fox, died aged 22 years. 

Thomas Clifford Fox
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Thomas, who ranked as a Driver served with the Royal Field Artillery, 2^nd/1^st Welsh Howitzer Brigade, is buried at Danygraig Cemetery. 

Thomas was born in October 1893, the son of Thomas Fox and Maria Fowler, who were married in 1888.

At the time of the 1901 Census, Thomas, aged 7, was living with his parents, at 35 New Street.

1901 Census

Thomas, 50, was employed as a Shipwright, whilst Maria was 48 years old.  Their children present were

William Benjamin, 11, and 7-year-old Thomas Clifford.

Thomas Clifford, now 17 years old, is still living at 35 New Street at the time of the 1911 Census.

1911 Census

Thomas, 60, is still employed as a Shipwright, whilst Maria is 58 years old.

Their two sons, William Benjamin, 21, is employed as Shipwright Apprentice and Thomas is employed as Polisher Apprentice.

27^th of January 1915, Thomas enlisted to serve with the Royal Field Artillery, his service lasting the duration of the war.  His Attestation Papers have survived.

Attestation Papers

Thomas died at the No.1 Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge.  His name is in the Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901 - 1929

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901 - 1929

The No.1 Eastern General Hospital. On 17 September 1914 work commenced towards the building of a military ‘shadow’ hospital on land which had been used as cricket grounds, shared by King’s College and Clare College, and eventually became the University Library. On 17 October 1914, the first patients were admitted to the First Eastern General Hospital (Territorial Force), which comprised several rows of huts bounded on the north by Burrell’s Walk. On 1 December 1915, an agreement was made with the Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely Territorial Force Association, which set out the conditions on which the land would continue to be used.

During the War Bodley’s building (staircases S-X), which had only been completed in 1893, was relatively empty due to the absence of students on war-time duties. Bodley’s building, Scott’s building, Fawcett’s building, and a room in the Gateway were used to house the nurses for the hospital.

After the War, the Cambridge Corporation (now the Cambridge City Council) leased the land for a housing project. In 1925 the land was sold to Cambridge University. They decided that the University Library should be moved from their site next to the Senate House, on land which had once been part of the King’s College’s Old Court, to this new site on the opposite side of the River Cam.

Thomas is buried with his grandparents, Benjamin and Elizabeth Fowler.