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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Australia Lookups completed => Topic started by: tazzie on Thursday 03 July 08 17:29 BST (UK)
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Hi Guys ......
Not really sure if anyone can help.
My husbands uncle was Rex Foulkes. He was a runner. However whilst road training in Australia he was hit by a car and killed in 1968/69.
He was due to fly home to see his new nephew ( hubby) but it never happened.
On 17 May 2008 the Canberra half marathon weekend took place along with the 39 annual Rex Foulkes memorial race.
It is still hard for my mother in law to talk about Rex so I have not questioned her .
Can someone help me find out about the accident if reported in newspapers and the actual dates.
If this is too tricky please let me know what info may help and I will see mum in law and see if she will tell me.
Thank you all.
Tazzie
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Hi
If he was killed in the ACT - a link to the Historical Deaths - scroll to the bottom of the page on the link
http://www.rgo.act.gov.au/bdm/bdm_deaths.html
Unfortunately the deaths are not indexed...you have to scroll through the complete years.
You could use the Ask a Librarian service at the Canberra Library for a lookup in the newspapers of the day
http://www.library.act.gov.au/mylibrary/askus
Good luck ;D
Cheers
Cando
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A bit more ....he is listed as running on 3 Jan 1970
http://www.rootschat.com/links/03rn/
and here is the death registration in 1970 on
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/search.htm
Reg No 15428 1970
FOULKES Rex Arthur
Father Arthur Henry Mother Grace Ivy
District Cooma
You can purchase a transcript of the death cert [cheaper and quicker option than a cert] from a transcription agent
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/familyHistory/howToSearch.htm#TranscriptionAgent
I would still contact the Canberra Library - District of Cooma adjacent to ACT.
Cheers
Cando
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HI Cando .....
Those links are great. I had no idea where to look or when really.
He went to Australia for winter training so that all ties in and the death cert details will be a help.
The running list is interesting with all the dates. My mum in law has many of his medals. I will look at those in detail to see if his "firsts " from the trip are there.
I will contact the library and see if they hold info from newspapers or such.
Many thanks for this as it has been difficult to progress with this and it will be a really big help to me.
Tazzie
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According to the link to the ACT Cross Country website, he had been running in the Winter Series in Australia since 1965. Just wondered if you had noticed. :D
Cheers
Cando
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Hi Cando......
Yep saw that have printed it off and will compare to his medals to see if any fit his time out there.
Have e-mailed library ...so .....have ...to....wait ::)
Will let you know .
Tazzie
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Wondering if this is the same Rex Arthur Foulkes who was reported living on St George’s Road, Aldershot, Hampshire in 1964 who was thought to have emigrated to Australia sometime after. In Aug 1964 he worked for the General Post Office.
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article in Canberra Times
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110324648?searchTerm=Rex%20Foulkes
and also
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/220164672/14493839
confirms date of death 1.3.1970
cass
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article in Canberra Times
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110324648?searchTerm=Rex%20Foulkes
and also
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/220164672/14493839
confirms date of death 1.3.1970
cass
Hi Cass… thank you for taking the time to research and post such a sad story on Rex.
I will explain the connection for any who may be interested.
My family were a service family living in Aldershot, UK in August 1964. Having escaped from our backyard married quarter, I was apparently intent on following my brother and his friends - I tried to follow the group across one of Aldershot’s busiest roads (Wellington Avenue) …they crossed on the green man… me on red. I was promptly caught by the rim of a Post Office Lorry driven by Rex. I was 2 years 9 months old.
Witnesses said I went higher than a streetlight. I was taken to an office nearby awaiting an ambulance. The next time my mother saw me was on a table in that office with blood everywhere from a skull fracture and running out my ears.
My patents to this day remember Rex who was absolutely distraught, he was not at fault. He apparently visited often bringing gifts each time. My parents recall that he quit his post office job and shortly after went to Australia. They remember him in the manner reflected in the article you posted. I have the British newspaper articles on my own accident.
As for me, I became a Paratrooper also - serving for 39 years from boy to man, saying my own accident was my first of a few hard landings.
So sad to read that he met his end in a road traffic accident while there. My parents who are still living will also be saddened to hear of this outcome.
I’m very glad he is remembered in Australia by way of the marathon - does the event still continue?
Once again many thanks to you.
RIP Rex - Forever Airborne.
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Sorry I don't know if the event is still going I just did a Google and it looks like the ACT race was still going in 2021
regards
Cass
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Sorry I don't know if the event is still going I just did a Google and it looks like the ACT race was still going in 2021
regards
Cass
Hi Cass… I saw that… but it looks like the incorporation of the Rex Foulkes Memorial Half Marathon may be at an end as there is no mention since 21 that I can see…
Looks like his home club also held such a race for a time:
“ Canberra Half Marathon History:
The First Annual Rex Foulkes Memorial Half Marathon started at 2pm on Sunday 13th September 1970. The organising committee comprised Peter McCullagh, Rod Calvert and Jack Pennington. Others helping out on the day were Daryl Cross, Joan Cross and Len Dowen.
The first three placegetters were Julian Scott 69.56; Terry McGee 70.30, and Dave McInnes 71.07. The great Dave Power came 6th in this race. Others from the Canberra area who participated that day and are still active within the sport are Graeme Small, Geoff Moore, Pat Fisher and Alan Wilson.
Rex Foulkes had been in Australia 5 years at the time of his death. He was very fond of Canberra and its runners and was a member of the North Canberra Athletic Club. His love of athletics and particularly distance running was so great that in the last 12 months of his life he covered 24,000 miles (approximately 38,000k) in search of competition.
Between 1965 and 1970 he had twice recorded 2 hours 27 minutes for the marathon. He was acknowledged as the most travelled runner in Harrier circles and this was his undoing. On 1 March 1970 Rex said ‘See you next week mates' and was killed in a car accident on the way home to Cooma.
In England Rex was a member of the ‘Vale of Aylesbury and Walton Athletic Club' I know until about 1990 there was a Rex Foulkes Memorial Race held in England.
Rex lived by the following code during his athletic career ‘The important thing is not to win but to take part’.”
Cheers, K
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Hello both.
Lovely that you've both taken the time to add to the story of Rex. Running must be in the blood, both of my sons were distance runners at school but cross country. They've stopped now they are working.
K what a story. I hope no ill effects.
It's a shame if the race has changed but maybe they've lost those who started it.
Rexs mum Grace used to present the prizes for the Aylesbury vale races. One was called the "egg race" I've been told the prize was eggs! Grace died in 1992.
Thank you both.
Tazzie