H Foxall (1887 – 1917)

Harry Foxall was the son of James Foxall, bricklayer, and his wife, Mary. They lived for many years on Cartway before moving to Underhill Street.

Harry worked as a shop errand boy, and later, as a general labourer. He served with the 6th Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action on 19th May, 1917 while his battalion was in trenches to the East of Villers-Plouich. The battalion war diary records: "Trenches 19.5.17 Weather fine. Intermittent shelling of Front and Support lines during day. Work carried out on Front line system during night. Battalion Transport heavily shelled while bringing up Rations. 2 O[ther] R[ank]s crushed between vehicles." Harry was probably one of this unfortunate pair, though he may have been one of the three men killed the previous day during heavy shelling of the Front and Support line trenches. He is buried in Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich (to the South of Cambrai).

Private Foxall, 25407, was awarded the Victory and British Medals. His death was reported in the Bridgnorth Journal on 9th June, 1917.

LOCAL DICTIONARY OF DATES FOR 1917
[Bridgnorth Journal, 29th December, 1917]
19 [May] 25407 Pte Harry Foxall, K.S.L.I. of 38 Underhill Street, killed in action in France.