Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




George Irwin Fox R. N.,

Convict Ship Surgeon-Superintendent


Date of Seniority Royal Navy 11 August 1832


George Irwin Fox was appointed Assistant-Surgeon in the Royal Navy on 29 June 1825.

Surgeon Superintendent

He was employed as Surgeon Superintendent on the convict ship Kinnear in 1842. The Kinnear departed Dublin 10 July 1842 and arrived in Van Diemen's Land 23 October 1842. On board were close to 180 male convicts from throughout Ireland. The guard consisted of a colour sergeant, two corporals, and 26 privates of the 99th regiment under Captain John Edward Newell Bull who was accompanied by his wife and four children. Captain Bull would later play an important part in the development of Newcastle breakwater. The Bull beacon in the harbour was named in his honour.

The Medical and surgical journal of the Kinnear kept between 31 May 1842 and 23 October 1842 by George Fox is held in the UK National Archives. The catalogue includes the following information:
List of persons vaccinated on board.
A copy of the sick book.
Nosological synopsis of the Kinnear's sick book kept during the period of the journal.
Surgeon's general remarks.

The journal can be viewed at Ancestry

George Fox was included in the List of Surgeons of the Royal Navy in 1852.

Medical Directory

He was entered in the British and foreign homeopathic medical directory and record for 1853 -
George Irwin Fox,
7 Flora Place, Union Street, Plymouth, Hampshire;
M.D., Glasgow 1837;
M.R.C.S.L. 1825;
Formerly Surgeon Royal Navy

Death

George Irwin Fox died at Bath of consumption age 50 in June 1856 (The Gentleman's Magazine)

Letters of Administration of the Personal estate and effects of George Irwin Fox late of Plymouth in the County of Devon M.D. Surgeon on Half pay in Her Majesty's Navy a Bachelor deceased who died 5 May 1856 at Bath in the County of Somerset left unadministered by Jane Lewes Fox widow, the mother and only next of kin of the said deceased were granted at the Principal Registry to Cornelius Fox of West Park Ivybridge in the county of Devon aforesaid a Commander in Her Majesty's Navy the Brother of the said deceased he having been first sworn. (England and Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1861-1941 Ancestry)

He was buried St. Mary The Virgin Churchyard Bathwick, Bath and North East Somerset Unitary Authority, Somerset, England - Find a Grave

Notes and Links

The Kinnear - Redcoat Settlers in Western Australia 1826-1869 - Dianne Oldman