Thomas Tristram Fox
Born 5 Feb 1921 - Died 4 Apr 1942
- Service number
- WWII NZ411392 AWMM
- WWII 411392 AWMM
- Also known as
- Dene Fox AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Air Force AWMM
- Last rank
- WW2 Pilot Officer AWMM Royal Air Force, No. 485 (NZ) Squadron AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 5 Feb 1921 AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
- —
- Birth notes
- —
- Address before enlistment
- WW2 Pre 02 Mar 1941 AWMM 83 Khyber Pass Road, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- WW2 Mrs Marion Agnes Fox (mother), 83 Khyber Pass Road, Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
- WW2 Widow: Mrs. D. P. Fox of Auckland AWMM
- WW2 Mother: Mrs. M. A. Fox of Auckland AWMM
- Relationship status
- Married/WWII AWMM
- Pre 18 Jun 1941 AWMM Single/WWII AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- Europe (Air) AWMM
- Europe (Air) AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Air Force AWMM
- Service number
- WWII NZ411392 AWMM
- WWII 411392 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- Royal Air Force, No. 485 (NZ) Squadron AWMM
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
- Initial Training Wing, Levin (2.3.41); Empire Air Training Scheme, Canada (18.6.41) AWMM
- No. 10 Service Flying Training School, Dauphin, Manitoba AWMM
- No. 1 "Y" Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia AWMM
- No. 33 Operational Training Unit, Llandow, Wales (18.11.41) AWMM
- British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, No. 10 Service Flying Training School, Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada AWMM
Course 1: Class 33. Graduation Date: 25/09/1941. AWMM - British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, No. 5 Air Observer School, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada AWMM
- Branch Trade Proficiency
- —
- Enlistment
- WW2 02 Mar 1941 AWMM
Age 20 AWMM
Student/Civilian AWMM - Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
- —
Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Vessel was Awatea AWMM Leading Aircraftman/Military Base Record Royal New Zealand Air Force, No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School, Bell Block, New Plymouth Base Record Royal New Zealand Air Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
- —
- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
- Height, Unknown Period AWMM
5 feet 6.5 inches AWMM - Weight, Unknown Period AWMM
11 Stone 3 pounds AWMM - Complexion, Unknown Period AWMM
Medium AWMM - Eye colour, Unknown Period AWMM
Hazel AWMM - Hair colour, Unknown Period AWMM
Dark AWMM - Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM
Killed on air operations AWMM
- Height, Unknown Period AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- WW2 Pilot Officer AWMM
Royal Air Force, No. 485 (NZ) Squadron AWMM - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- Thomas Fox was the son of Thomas Robert Fox (2/1426) and Marion Agnes Fox (born Australia, nee Coleman). Husband of Doreen Fox originally of Canada
He received his secondary education at the Sacred Heart Collage, Auckland, passed the University Entrance examination, also gaining a University Entrance Scholarship and the Higher Leaving Certificate. He attended Otago University and Auckland University College for two years taking science subjects and he was still studying at the time of applying for enlistment in aircrew, on the 19 August 1940. He played rugby for both Sacred heart College and Otago University also taking part in Athletics, swimming, rowing, tennis and golf.
He married Doreen Holden 29 September 1941 at Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada, by Rev W.H. Powell. Doreen Holden was born at Hartney, Manitoba on 6 July 1921.
Although officially he has no known grave, he is thought to have been buried at Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery, St Omer, France.
He was the pilot of a Spitfire aircraft engaged during 4th April 1942 in escorting bombers to St. Omer. His aircraft failed to return and he was classified as missing. Later information from a German source through the International Red Cross said that he had lost his life and consequently he was reclassified as believed killed in action.
The Ministry of Defence believe that Mrs D.P. Fox came to New Zealand in 1947. Her address at the time was that of her mother-in-law. She was given her husband's medals in 1950.
Attended Sacred Heart College (Source: RNZAF Biographies (R17845610)) AWMM
About death
- Death
- 4 Apr 1942 AWMM
Age 21 AWMM - Date of death
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- Age at death
- —
- Place of death
- —
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action AWMM
- Death notes
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- Cemetery
- Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France AWMM Special Memorial Plot 9. Row A. Grave 1 AWMM
- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
- —
- Obituary
- Auckland May/June? 1942 AWMM
- Memorial name
- —
- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
- Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 2 Hall of Memories AWMM
Related objects
Sources
- External links
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2279795
Sources Used - RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ea - Gw. ARchives New Zealand (R17845610)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845610
Sources Used - List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. Archives New Zealand (R17845747)
https://collections.archives.govt.nz/web/arena/search/#/entity/aims-archive/R17845747
Sources Used - New Zealand War Graves Trust
https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/
Further Reference - Aircrew Remembered: https://aircrewremembered.com/fox-thomas-tristram.htmlPublic - Antonio - Researcher - 3 April 2026 - Internet research
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
- References
- This record is a work in progress and was partially compiled from the “Database of New Zealand Airmen who took part in Advanced Air Training in Canada during WW2”. Researched by Ivan and Lorna Lindsey of Tauranga. N.Z. 2003 – 2012. Reproduced with permission.
- Martyn, E. (1998-2008). For Your Tomorrow (Vols. 1-3). Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press.
pp.196-7 - Auckland Museum. Roll of Honour, Auckland Province, 1939 - 1945. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 93/139.
- Information kindly provided by family
- RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939 - 1945 (Bound Volumes) - Ea - Gw. Archives New Zealand (R17845610) - Former archives reference: AIR118
- List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. [Missing - But Presumed Dead on Lapse of Time - Officers, Airmen]. Archives New Zealand (R17845743)
- Please note that the 11 volumes of the "RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939-1945" held at Archives NZ (formerly known as AIR118) should be used in conjunction with Errol Martyn's "For Your Tomorrow". FYT reflects detailed examination of all of the AIR118 bios which contain many inaccuracies and omissions.
- List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - List of Personnel Killed or Missing in Various Theatres, 1940 - 1945. [List of Missing]. Archives New Zealand (R17845747)
- List of RNZAF [Royal New Zealand Air Force] Personnel - Embarkation Lists, November 1940 - July 1942. Archives New Zealand, Wellington (R17845762).
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