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Andrew was born on 11 December 1940, during the blitz. He was the oldest son of Wilfred Henry Fox-Robinson, chaplain RNVR (Clerk in Holy Orders) and Mary Jane Fox-Robinson. While Wilfred was at sea, Jane lived with her guardians, The Reverend Andrew Nugee and his wife Elizabeth. Whilst with them, Jane left her new born baby by the fire – too close in Uncle Andrew’s opinion. He left a note on Andrew reminding Jane that babies are hard to come by in wartime and not to leave this one so close to the fire! Uncle Andrew was a huge influence on Andrew as he grew up, insisting he listen to the daily news, which Andrew continued to do throughout his life.
Andrew and his mother Jane lived with other relatives during Andrew’s father’s time at sea, including Irene Staunton in Leicester. Irene owned a goat, which Andrew let off its tether on numerous occasions, each time with the goat eating the roses. He started primary school in Church Stretton, Shropshire. Later Andrew and Anne spent holidays with their young sons here, walking on the Long Mynd and building dams to stop and divert the streams. Andrew went on to Eastbourne Prep and then won a scholarship to Lancing College. He enjoyed classics, history and music; sailed, boxed and played chess for the school. Andrew was Head of House, became a Queen’s scout and as a post A-Level activity, built the amphitheatre, later to be opened by Agatha Christie and her husband, Max Mallowan (Head’s 1918–1921)
Andrew left Lancing to teach at Bembridge School on the Isle of Wight and then Trinity College Dublin, where he gained History and Law degrees. At university, he organised an International History conference in Cork, loved sailing in Dublin Bay and totally immersed himself in international affairs. Andrew went on to join the highly respected law firm Slaughter and May in London, taking his law exams from Guildford Law School. He then moved to Debenhams (a smaller, family-run law firm), before starting his own firm. While living in London, Andrew started a bridge club, taught law at evening school and joined the Honour Artillery Company. He so enjoyed firing the 21 gun salute on the Thames towpath (opposite the Tower of London) for the Queen’s birthday. Andrew met Anne skiing in Zermatt. They married and Andrew moved from London to Cambridge, as Anne was a registrar in Oral Surgery at Addenbrookes, which involved alternate nights and weekends on call. They had three sons: Richard, John and William. From law, he moved into a property company, which was later hit by the recession. Andrew was dedicated to his family. He spent hours raising money for all the fundraising activities his sons undertook: two London marathons and one cycle ride from John O'Groats to Land’s End for a brain tumour charity. Over the last 15 years, Andrew spent a considerable time looking after the ageing members of his and Anne’s families, ensuring their financial security and physical comfort. He won a substantial case for his brother-in-law against his former business partners and was also invaluable in sorting out numerous probates. With no equine knowledge, Andrew ran and improved the horse livery business left to the family after Anne’s sister’s death. Andrew was an avid reader. He regularly read The Times or the Financial Times, money facts, law journals and serious history. As part of the European Studies group in Cambridge he read the recommended book list and attended weekly seminars during term time. Andrew enjoyed rigging and launching sailing boats. He spent hours on the touch line for rugby and hockey and supported the Cambridge University Rugby club, watching their weekly matches. Every year he took a large group of friends to the Varsity match at Twickenham. He attended St John’s College Chapel for Sunday services, enjoying the sermons and the choir. On Christmas Day and at Easter, he loved the services at King’s College. He also enjoyed researching his family history, visiting villages in Lincolnshire and Derbyshire where they had lived. As Secretary of the Trinity College Dublin Graduates Association Cambridge, he organised two meetings each year with topical speakers. He helped to set up a charity called Ibis Initiative for Anglo-Irish scholarships.
Andrew always fought for what he thought was right against all adversity. He was involved with the local planning to get the very best results to the highest building standards and attempted to protect the village church and to ensure both facilities and health and safety were in place. His wife Anne had opportunities to travel and these he supported, running the home and being available for the boys while she was away. Andrew so enjoyed his school days at Lancing and had a great love for the Chapel, views from the school and the lifelong values that Lancing instilled.
Anne Fox-Robinson