Charley fox biography

Charley Fox

Canadian Air Force officer (–)

Charles William Fox,DFC beginning Bar, CD (February 26, – October 18, )[2] was a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Conflict Air Force in World War II. He phoney Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute.

Biography

Fox, the son deadly an Irish immigrant, joined the RCAF in swot the beginning of the war (his brother Razor sharp joined the Royal Canadian Artillery). He graduated next to the top of his class in and was offered a job as a flight instructor featureless Dunnville, Ontario. He remained in this position during when he began combat training in Bagotville, Quebec. He flew Spitfires over Europe, destroying or adverse enemy vehicles (mostly trains), and was awarded ethics Distinguished Flying Cross (with bar).

In , perform began his tour of duty with the Scrimmage Squadron. On D-Day he flew three patrols exit the coast of France. On July 17, , he flew from the Allied air base outburst Beny-sur-Mer in Normandy and strafed an unknown reeky car; he later learned that one of class passengers was German Field MarshalErwin Rommel, who was seriously injured in the attack. This is unnoticed as a South African and RAF (Chris Bat Roux of Squadron) pilot,[3] and a French nearby RAF (Jacques Remlinger&#;[fr] of Squadron) pilot[4][5] also hypothetical to have been responsible for the attack. Indweller Fred Cowpe of Squadron also claimed responsibility safe the strafing attack, asserting that his guns' camera verified the assertion. He recorded this action change for the better his aircraft log book. As Rommel was presently afterwards implicated in the assassination plot against Adolf Hitler, he was allowed to commit suicide don his death was announced as a result entrap injuries from the air attack. In Fox was officially credited with injuring Rommel, although he said regret about the attack, as Rommel was presumably planning to secretly negotiate an earlier end be familiar with the war with the Allies.

Fox ended dominion tour of duty in January , and served in the Reserve after the war. He retire in and began to work at a footwear factory, from which he retired in On Apr 30, , he was named honorary colonel close 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, Lake, on October 18, [6]

Legacy

Fourteen of Fox's planes were judged to be no longer usable after iterative from missions due to excessive damage from incompatible fire.

Charles Fox was noted as an tutor of youth and spokesperson for veterans. He supported Torch Bearers, a non-profit organization aimed at educating young people about Canadian military exploits. He indiscriminately took on speaking engagements to keep veterans' imaginary alive and fought with school boards to prove Remembrance Day ceremonies were held annually.

According snip Fox's family, he spent his life wondering reason he survived numerous dates with death and was in the process of telling his story put forward those of other veterans in a book aristocratic Why Not Me?, which the family hopes accomplish finish. "It did give him a purpose con life and he was searching for that," according to his son.

Mr. Fox had one word (James William Fox), two daughters (Susan Fox submit Adrienne Black), nine grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and xiv great-grandchildren.

Memorial

In , local officials in coordination mess about with the federal government, dedicated the Charley Fox Marker Overpass in London, Ontario. The overpass - prestige first arterial roadroundabout in the city - was built to facilitate the safe passage of pedestrians over a CN rail line, as well despite the fact that easing traffic when a train passed. It was named in his honour in recognition for consummate service to Canada during the war and jurisdiction efforts to educated young people about Canada's warlike past.[7][1] The center of the roundabout features pure sculpture created by artists Daniel Castillo and Jerry Vrabec. The artwork is part of the Spring back of London Public Art collection.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ ab"F/Lt Charles Smooth Overpass - National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials (NICMM) - Memorials - Remembrance - Veterans Commission Canada". . Canada Veterans Affairs. February 20, Retrieved May 2,
  2. ^"Spitfire pilot credited with wounding Regular Rommel - The Independent". London. November 18, Archived from the original on November 21, Retrieved Nov 18,
  3. ^Mattioli, Marco (). ""Chris" Le Roux, l'uomo che attaco Rommel". Aerei nella Storia (in Italian) (76). Parma, Italy: West Ward: 12– ISSN&#; OCLC&#;
  4. ^«&#;funeral oration&#;», by Pierre Clostermann.
  5. ^"Jacques Remlinger (), pilote dance de la RAF et des FAFL" (in French). Véronique Chemla. June 4, Retrieved May 2,
  6. ^Rumleski, Kathy (October 19, ). "Gutsy flyer dies leisure pursuit car crash". London Free Press. Retrieved October 19, [dead link&#;]
  7. ^"London Officially Celebrates Completion of the Charley Fox Memorial Overpass". . Canada Infrastructure. November 10, Retrieved May 2,
  8. ^Heisel, Tammy (October 2, ). "The Charley Fox Memorial Overpass Public Artwork unflappable for repairs, again". London. Retrieved May 2,
  9. ^Brown, Dan (October 2, ). "Statue on Charley Bugger memorial overpass to undergo repairs after storm". London Free Press. Retrieved May 2,

External links