Charley Fox
Charley Fox | |
|---|---|
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Canadian Forces' Decoration |
| Memorials | Charley Fox Memorial Overpass[1] |
| Alma mater | Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute |
| Spouse(s) |
Helen Jean Doughty
(m. 1942; died 1993) |
| Children | |
Charles William Fox, DFC and Bar,
Biography
Fox, the son of an
In 1944, he began his tour of duty with the Canadian 412 Squadron. On
Fox ended his tour of duty in January 1945, and served in the 420 Reserve after the war. He retired in 1956 and began to work at a shoe factory, from which he retired in 1998. On April 30, 2004, he was named honorary colonel of 412 Squadron in Ottawa, ultimately belonging to 8 Wing/CFB Trenton. For his long service in the RCAF, he was awarded the Canadian Forces' Decoration.
He died in a car accident near Tillsonburg, Ontario, on October 18, 2008.[6]
Legacy
Fourteen of Fox's planes were judged to be no longer usable after returning from missions due to excessive damage from enemy fire.
Charles Fox was noted as an educator of youth and spokesperson for veterans. He founded Torch Bearers, a non-profit organization aimed at educating young people about Canadian military exploits. He regularly took on speaking engagements to keep veterans' stories alive and fought with school boards to ensure Remembrance Day ceremonies were held annually.
According to Fox's family, he spent his life wondering why he survived numerous dates with death and was in the process of telling his story and those of other veterans in a book titled Why Not Me?, which the family hopes to finish. "It did give him a purpose in life and he was searching for that," according to his son.
Mr. Fox had one son (James William Fox), two daughters (Susan Fox and Adrienne Black), nine grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Memorial
In 2011, local officials in coordination with the federal government, dedicated the Charley Fox Memorial Overpass in London, Ontario. The overpass - the first arterial road roundabout in the city - was built to facilitate the safe passage of pedestrians over a CN rail line, as well as easing traffic when a train passed. It was named in his honour in recognition for his service to Canada during the war and his efforts to educated young people about Canada's military past.[7][1] The center of the roundabout features a sculpture created by artists Daniel Castillo and Jerry Vrabec. The artwork is part of the City of London Public Art collection.[8][9]
References
- ^ a b "F/Lt Charles Fox Overpass - National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials (NICMM) - Memorials - Remembrance - Veterans Affairs Canada". www.veterans.gc.ca. Canada Veterans Affairs. February 20, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "Spitfire pilot credited with wounding General Rommel - The Independent". London. November 18, 2008. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
- OCLC 955987521.
- ^ « funeral oration », by Pierre Clostermann.
- ^ "Jacques Remlinger (1923-2002), pilote chasse de la RAF et des FAFL" (in French). Véronique Chemla. June 4, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ Rumleski, Kathy (October 19, 2008). "Gutsy flyer dies in car crash". London Free Press. Retrieved October 19, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "London Officially Celebrates Completion of the Charley Fox Memorial Overpass". www.canada.ca. Canada Infrastructure. November 10, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ Heisel, Tammy (October 2, 2020). "The Charley Fox Memorial Overpass Public Artwork removed for repairs, again". London. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- London Free Press. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
External links
- Biography from Spitfire Emporium
- http://www.CharleyFox.com
- "Obituary: Flight Lieutenant Charley Fox". London: Telegraph. November 4, 2008. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
