Military service
Burial/memorial information
Son of Graham Fox and Jane Weston, de Toronto, Ontario. During the First World War, Graham served with the York and Lancaster Regiment, regimental number 3781, and fought in France, Flanders and Belgium from 13 August 1915 to 4 October 1918. He became a reservist with this unit and served from 26 January 1919 to 27 August 1920. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
While Graham Walford and his father were members of the crew of the SS Kafiristan, this cargo ship was torpedoed at 3:55 pm on 17 September 1939 by U-53 350 miles (563 km) west of Cape Clear, Ireland, position 50°16'N/16°55'W. At 4.14pm, the ship received its coup de grace and six sailors were killed. The father rescued his son who was trying to cling on to three overturned lifeboats because Walford couldn't swim. The survivors were rescued by the SS American Farmer, which landed them in New York on 24 September. Back in Canada, Walford enlisted on the Elisha Walker while his father joined the 48th Highlanders of Canada in Toronto, Ontario. Because of a bad set of teeth, he was discharged before trying his luck with the British Army.
Graham Walford fell overboard from the Elisha Walker and, unable to swim, drowned in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia.
Digital gallery of Ordinary Seaman Graham Walford (Sonny) Fox
Digital gallery of
Ordinary Seaman Graham Walford (Sonny) Fox
Digital gallery of
Ordinary Seaman Graham Walford (Sonny) Fox
Digital gallery of
Ordinary Seaman Graham Walford (Sonny) Fox
Digital gallery of
Ordinary Seaman Graham Walford (Sonny) Fox
Image gallery
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 137 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
PROSPECT CEMETERY Ontario, Canada
1450 St. Clair Ave West, City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Office: Suite 500 65 Overlea Boulevard, Toronto, ON M4H 1P1 (416) 696-7866, fax (416) 696-0227
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.