Thomas Clifford Fox was born on the 19th Oct 1893 in Swansea, the son of Thomas & Maria Fox. The family lived at 35 New Street, Swansea and his father worked as a shipwright.

In the 1911 census, Thomas was working as a Cabinet Makers Apprentice, still living with his parents and elder brother at 35 New Street.

Thomas married Mary Hannah Maimone on the 27th Dec 1914 and enlisted in the Brigade shortly after. On his papers, he gave his occupation as Chauffeur.

Thomas died in a military hospital in Cambridge on 29th Feb 1916 following an accident.

His obituary states; Pte. Fox, who was 22 years of age, was married, but his parents reside at 35, New-Street, Swansea. Prior to the war he worked for the “Cambria Daily Leader” as a motor driver.

For a number of years after Thomas died, his family remembered him on the anniversary of his death in the local newspaper.

Thomas enlisted as a Driver in the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade on 27th Feb 1915 and was given the service number 1215. His service record has survived.

He was initially posted to the 2/1 Glamorgan Bty on 27th Mar 1915.

Thomas was admitted to hospital in Bedford on 6th Nov 1915 suffering from Appendicitis and transferred to 1st Eastern General Hospital in Cambridge on the 8th Nov suffering from Chronic Peritonitis, Acute Appendicitis. He remained in hospital in Cambridge until he died on the 29th Feb 1916.

The Cambria Daily Leader reported ‘Pte Harry Fox, of the 1st Welsh Howitzers, has died under tragic circumstances. Deceased was some time ago in charge of two horses when he met an accident. This was followed by appendicitis, and while in Cambridge hospital – where he remained for six months – he underwent five operations. Consumption developed, however, to which he succumbed on Tuesday.

The official report into his death (Army Form B.2090) states he died on 29th Feb 1916 at the 1st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge. The cause of death was ‘Abscess of Liver & Chronic Peritonitis’.

The report also gives his unit as the 2/2nd Glamorgan Battery of the 2/1st Welsh (How) Bde, RFA and his widows details as Mrs Maimie Fox, 19 St Georges Terrace, Swansea.

Thomas’s body was returned to Swansea and he was buried, with military honours, at the Danygraig Cemetery, Swansea. The Cambria Daily Leader reported, 'The cortege was a very lengthy one, and was headed by the Swansea Police Band and the firing party. Then followed a large contingent of military stationed in the district, several hundred workmen ….'

Thomas was the first serving member of the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade to lose their life in the War.