FOX, Lyall

FOX, Lyall – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWII
SERVICE NO : QX24381
RANK : Private
UNIT : HQ New Guinea Force
ENLISTMENT DATE : 3/11/1941
AGE : 22
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Brisbane, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Tenterfield, New South Wales
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Labourer
DATE OF DEATH : 8/10/2000
PLACE OF BURIAL : Stanthorpe Cemetery, Stanthorpe, Queensland

MEMORIALS : Amosfield Liston War Memorial

View Veteran’s Service File : FOX, Lyall

NOTES : Lyall Fox was born on June 3, 1919 in Tenterfield, New South Wales. He was the son of Ivy Hannah Muriel Einam and Thomas Charles Ben Fox. His siblings were Charles, Ilma, John (who was known as Jack), William and Ben.

After the death of his uncle, he helped his aunt run her property at Wylie Creek. This is where he was living when he enlisted.

With the event of the Second World War, the three eldest Fox brothers answered the call of their country and enlisted in the army. John Fox QX24382 was Killed In Action in Papua New Guinea and William Thomas Fox QX18372 served in the Middle East and Papua New Guinea before returning home. Lyall also served in Papua New Guinea.

Lyall married Elaine Emily Burton on 4^th January 1947 in Tenterfield. They had two daughters and one son. Lyall ended up with his father’s property Racecourse at Rivertree in New South Wales and part of Spring Range which had belonged to his uncle and aunt. This worked well for Lyall as the properties were side by side.

During the tin mining boom, Rivertree had been quite a thriving area with numerous hotels and a racecourse. Hence the name of the property.

Lyall and his family lived at New Koreelah before moving to Stanthorpe in order for the children who had attended the Lower Acacia Creek School to further their education. Lyall worked for the Tenterfield Shire Council maintaining roads before starting work with the biggest employer in the district at the time, the Wallangarra Meat Works.

Lyall enjoyed sports, and was a keen tennis prayer, cricketer and lawn bowler.

Lyall’s daughter Denise married Robert Hilton. Robert was the son of World War 2 veteran Richard Cuthbert Hilton Q21972.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.