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 BookEntry 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

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

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