in 1921 ASLEF's official historian blamed "a strong A.S.R.S. section impairing his chances" for Fox's defeat. Acrimony between ASLEF and the ASRS caused the Federation to collapse in 1906–07 and spilled over into the Leeds LRC. In January 1908 Lawson Walton died and in the ensuing Leeds South by-election Fox was again the LRC candidate. When the Liberal candidate William Middlebrook won, Fox blamed opponents for exploiting the division between railway unions. Illness and death By 1910 Fox found himself to be seriously ill but he persisted with his duties. He led ASLEF through the 1911 national railway strike but by 1912 he was very pale and clearly unwell. After ASLEF's 1912 Conference his condition worsened and his doctor prescribed a period of bed rest. He attended the 1913 Conference but delegates voted him a salary increase and three months' leave of absence as he had not taken a holiday since 1910. In 1913 Fox's younger son Charles suffered a painful illness and died in October, and Fox's own condition worsened in December. Because of his illness, in the early part of 1914 there were only two days on which Fox managed to come to work. He died on Sunday 22 March 1914. References Sources 1914 deaths 1858 births British political candidates General secretaries of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen Politicians from Leeds People from Mexborough Date of birth missing