Francis John Fox.

About Francis John Fox

Francis John Fox was a New Zealand soldier and farmer. Born in Ireland into a family with a military tradition, he was commissioned in the British Army in 1876. An artillery officer, he served in British India, the First Boer War in South Africa and in Egypt. After holding a series of staff positions, he was appointed Commandant of the New Zealand Permanent Militia in 1892. He soon came into conflict with the New Zealand Prime Minister, Richard Seddon, over implementation of a number of recommendations that had been made to improve the state of New Zealand's defences. His position changed to an advisory role which ended in 1896. Having retired from the army, he turned to farming in Canterbury. Attempts in 1899 to join New Zealand military units being raised for service in the Second Boer War were rebuffed. He died in 1902 of a haemorrhage.