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Leonard FOSTER (1)

Main CPGW Record

Surname: FOSTER

Forename(s): Leonard

Place of Birth: Long Preston, Yorkshire

Service No: 35073

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

Battalion / Unit: 74th Battalion

Division: 74th (Yeomanry) Division

Age: 26

Date of Death: 1918-11-01

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: V. J. 7.

CWGC Cemetery: TOURNAI COMMUNAL CEMETERY ALLIED EXTENSION

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: LONG PRESTON, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Leonard Foster was the son of Leonard and Deborah Ann Foster, née Shepherd. Leonard, senior, was born at Hellifield and Deborah at Clapham, Yorkshire. Leonard, junior, was the cousin of Corporal Ernest Foster (265646) (q.v.) and L/Corporal Edward Walton Briscoe (10632) (q.v.).

1901 Long Preston, Yorkshire Census: Main Road - Leonard Foster, aged 7 years, born Long Preston, son of Leonard and Deborah Foster.

1911 Langcliffe, Yorkshire Census: Manor House Farm - Leonard Foster, aged 17 years, born Long Preston, Yorkshire. [Leonard was employed by Elizabeth Preston.]

The British Army Service Record for Leonard Foster exists but may be incomplete.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Leonard Foster, 35073, M.G.C.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Leonard Foster, 35073, M.G.C. Killed.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Leonard Foster, 35073, 74th Btn M.G.C. Date and Place of Death: 1.11.18. K. in A. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - Leonard. £22 6s. 8d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Leonard. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Miss Victoria May Young. Relationship: Mother. Address: Victoria Street, Settle. Claimant: Victoria May Baynes. Relationship to Man: Mother and Guardian. Address: Albert Hill, Settle.

The 1921 Census shows that Victoria and her husband John William Baynes were living at Albert Hill, Settle. They married in 1920. At the time of their marriage John was probably employed by Victoria's father, James Young. Victoria died in 1936.

Early in 1918 Machine Gun Battalions were formed. This was done by bringing 4 Machine Gun Companies together to form a battalion. The battalion then took the number of their Division.

See also: 'Long Preston and the Great War' by Long Preston Heritage Group (2015).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

FOSTER, Leonard, [Long Preston], 74th Machine Gun Battalion, son of Mr. L. Foster, killed in action Oct. 18, 1918.

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Private Leonard FOSTER

Private Leonard FOSTER

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 74th (Yeomanry) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 74th (Yeomanry) Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: FOSTER

Forename(s): Leonard

Born: Long Preston, Yorks

Residence:

Enlisted: Settle

Number: 35073

Rank: Private

Regiment: Machine Gun Corps

Battalion: (Infantry)

Decorations:

Died Date: 01/11/18

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes: Formerly 18111, W. Riding Regt.

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: FOSTER

Forename(s): L

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 35073

Rank: Private

Regiment: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

Unit: 74th Bn.

Age:

Awards:

Died Date: 01/11/1918

Additional Information:

View Additional Text

View Additional Text For Soldier Records

‘Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer’ (14 February 1936)

INFLAMMABILITY OF FROCKS

Leeds Coroner and Frequency of Burning Fatalities

At an inquest held in Leeds yesterday on Victoria May Baynes (39), of Albert Hill, Settle who died in Leeds Infirmary last Tuesday from shock following burns received at her home on the same day, the Coroner (Mr. J. H. Milner) commented upon the alarming number of cases of this description that had occurred this year. “This is the fifth female, above the age of 21, who has died as a result of extensive burns, and on whom we have held inquests since January 14. There must be something in the dresses that women wear at the present time that renders them inflammable. When wool was worn there were not so many cases of women being burned.

Mrs. Alice Smith, of Albert Hill, Settle, said that on Tuesday morning Mrs Baynes told her she was going to do some ironing. Soon afterwards witness heard a woman scream “Alice, come and save me.” Witness ran into the house and found Mrs. Baynes “a human torch.”

Witness smothered the fire with a mat and rug, in which action she was burned herself, and summoned another neighbour. It was thought that Mrs Baynes had been reaching up to the mantelshelf, and her dress had become drawn into the flames. A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.

Complimenting Mrs. Smith, the Coroner said, “You showed common sence, and did what was best.”

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995

1936

BAYNES Victoria May of Albert Hill Settle Yorkshire (wife of John William Baynes) died 11 February 1936 at The General Infirmary Leeds Administration Wakefield 15 April to the said John William Baynes carter. Effects £166 6s. 1d.

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Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

15 November 1918

LONG PRESTON – Another Local Soldier Killed

Mr. Len Foster, of this place, has received from Major Vickers, 74th M.G. Battalion, a sympathetic letter stating that he had with profound regret to inform him that his son, Private Leonard Foster, had been killed. He was just returning from the trenches on the lst November and was entering his billet when an enemy shell landed, killing him instantly. He would be buried the following day, when his officers and comrades would be present to pay their last respects to a very keen soldier and a good pal. Private Foster had been with him over a year in India and France and it grieved him very much to lose a soldier who had served with him so long, and whom he had found so willing, cheerful and thorough. A cross would be erected over his resting place.

Private Foster was 26 years of age and joined the Army three years since. He last came on leave on September 12th, and just previous to that had had his mule shot from under him. On his next leave he had intended being married to a Settle young lady.

15 November 1918

LONG PRESTON – Memorial Service

On Sunday night at the Parish Church the Vicar said they were assembled there in token of their respect for one more lad of Long Preston – Leonard Foster – who had laid down his life. It was just four years since they had the first memorial service. What did that wastage and sacrifice of human life mean? That the world might be rid of militarism, that a great race with its pride and cruelty should be humbled? That was not much comfort to those who had lost those who were near and dear to them. At the close of the service, the Dead March was played.

31 October 1919

FOSTER – In loving. memory of Driver Leonard Foster, M.G.C., killed in action November 1st, 1918.

“He sleeps with England’s heroes ‘neath the watchful care of God.”

From Father and Mother, Long Preston.

FOSTER – In loving memory of our dear brother Driver Leonard Foster. M.G.C., who was killed in action on November 1st, 1918.

May heavenly winds blow softly
O’er that sweet and hallowed spot;
Though the sea divides his grave and us
He will never be forgot.

From his loving Sisters, Maria, Bell, and Lena.

29 October 1920

FOSTER – In loving memory of our dear brother, Driver Leonard Foster, who was killed in action, November 1st, 1918.

One by one earth’s ties are broken,
One by one they’re linked above;
Some day there’ll be sweet reunion
In the land of light and love.

From Marian and Dick, Earby.

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15 November 1918

Another Long Preston Soldier Killed

Mr. Len Foster, of Long Preston. has received from Major Vickers, 74th Machine Gun Battalion, a sympathetic letter stating that he had with profound regret to inform him that his son, Pte. Leonard Foster, had been killed. He was just returning from the trenches on the 18th [1st] November, and was entering his billet when an enemy shell landed, killing him and a comrade instantaneously. He described deceased as a very keen soldier and a good pal. Pte. Foster had been with him over a year in India and France, and it grieved him very much to lose a soldier who had served with him so long and whom he had found so willing, cheerful, and thorough. A cross (he added) would be erected over his resting place. Pte. Foster was 26 years of age, and joined the army three years since. He last came on leave on Sept. 12th, and just previous to that had had his mule shot from under him. On his next leave he had intended being married to a Settle young lady.

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