John William FOSTER

Main CPGW Record

Surname: FOSTER

Forename(s): John William

Place of Birth: Firbank, Westmorland

Service No: 41852

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 'B' Coy 10th (Service) Battalion

Division: 21st Division

Age: 26

Date of Death: 1917-04-11

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: A. 16.

CWGC Cemetery: COJEUL BRITISH CEMETERY, ST. MARTIN-SUR-COJEUL

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: SEDBERGH, YORKSHIRE

Local War Memorial: VALE OF LUNE, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

John William Foster was the son of William and Betsy Foster, née Cummings. William was born at Howgill near Sedbergh, Yorkshire and Betsy at New Hutton, Westmorland.

1891 Firbank, Westmorland Census: Goodies - John W. Foster, aged 11 months, born Firbank, son of Betsey Foster, widow.

1901 Marthwaite, Sedbergh, Yorkshire Census: Lane Ends - John W. Foster, aged 10 years, born Firbank, Westmorland, son of Betsy Foster, widow.

1911 Milnthorpe, Westmorland Census: Viver - John William Foster, aged 20 years, born Firbank, Westmorland. [John was employed by his uncle, Alfred William Cummings, Butcher.]

John was married to Elizabeth Ann Frear in 1914.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John W. Foster, 41852, York. R. Dead.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte John Wm. Foster, 41852, 10/York. R. Dead.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte John William. Foster, 41852, 10th Bn Yorkshire. Date and Place of Death: 11.4.17. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Elizabeth A. £2 16s. 2d. 2 Children. War Gratuity: Widow - Elizabeth A. £3. 0s. 0d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for John. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Elizabeth, born 16.9.90. Address: Field End, Stainton, Nr Kendal, Westmoreland [sic]. Children: John William, born 27.5.14. Madge, born 25.2.16.

In 1921 Elizabeth and her children were living with her father Edmund Frear at Field End, Endmoor, Kendal. In 1939 Elizabeth, son John and daughter Madge (later Allonby), were living at Viver Mill, Milnthorpe, Westmorland. Elizabeth died in 1987.

A short biography of John is included in: ‘Sedbergh and District 1914-1918 – But who shall return the children?’ Compiled by Sedbergh and District History Society. Edited by Diane Elphick (2016).

Data Source: Local War Memorial

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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---

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