F/Lt Charles Fox Overpass

This overpass is named in honour of F/Lt Charles Fox, DFC and Bar, CD.

Charles Fox was born in February 1920 in Guelph ON. He attended Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute and joined the military soon after the start of the Second World War. He completed pilot training in 1941, graduating near the top of his class. His training success and his natural abilities led him to being assigned as a flight instructor in Dunnville ON from October 1941 to March 1943 after which he was transferred to an operational training school at Bagotville QC to undertake combat training.

In August 1943, he was transferred to Europe and trained on Spitfires. In January 1944, Charley Fox was assigned to 412 Squadron, RCAF and over the next few months, undertook numerous escort, armed recce and dive-bombing sorties. On D-Day alone, he flew three missions. On 18 June, 412 Squadron began flying operations from an airstrip at Beny-sur-Mer in Normandy and on 17 July 1944, Fox completed a mission that would garner world-wide attention. On this occasion, he undertook an armed reconnaissance mission and strafed an unknown black staff car; he later learned that one of the passengers was German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, who was seriously injured in the attack. Two other pilots (RAF and RAAF) also claimed responsibility but a 2004 study concluded that Fox had most likely delivered the damaging blow. He flew numerous missions during the 1944 summer offensive and was awarded the DFC for his "exceptional courage and skill in pressing home his attacks against the enemy".

Fox concluded his operational tour in January 1945 having flown 224 operational sorties and in February he was awarded a Bar to his DFC. He returned to Canada in August and after his wartime experience, Fox continued to serve with 420 Squadron (Reserve), flying Harvards, Mustangs and the early jet fighters. He later transferred to fighter controller duties, finally completing his service in May 1961. Fox was appointed Honorary Colonel of 412 Squadron in April 2004. He died in a car accident near Tillsonburg, Ontario, on 18 October 2008.

“Charley”

F/Lt. Charles Fox, DFC and Bar, CD
February 26, 1920
October 18, 2008

Charles Fox signed up with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940 and served his country as a decorated Spitfire Pilot during the Second World War- recognized for his achievements on D-Day and later in Normandy at Beny-sur-Mer. He is accredited with strafing the staff car and ending the role of German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel (The Desert Fox) in the war. Fox was recognized for destroying four enemy aircraft in addition to 153 trains and vehicles, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar. Fourteen of Charley’s planes were rendered no longer usable after being hit by enemy fire. Charley ended his tour of duty in 1945.
After the war he became active in the London-based 420 Reserve Squadron. On April 30, 2004 he was inducted as Honoray Colonel of 412 Squadron, passionately devoting his time and energy to honouring veterans, past and present. He founded Torchbearers, a non profit organization devoted to keeping veterans’ stories alive, educating young people about Canadian military history and encouraging school boards to actively participate in annual Remembrance Day ceremonies. A long time resident of east London, City Council is pleased to dedicate this overpass in his honour.