Main CPGW Record
Surname: FOSTER
Forename(s): Tom
Place of Birth: Addingham, Yorkshire
Service No: 266657
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Gordon Highlanders
Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 1/7th (Deeside Highland) Battalion
Division: 51st (Highland) Division
Age: 20
Date of Death: 1918-04-14
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 9.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: ADDINGHAM, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Tom Foster was the son of George and Sarah Ann Foster, née Lister. George was born at Otley and Sarah at Addingham, Yorkshire. Tom was the cousin of Private James Lister (7637) (q.v.).
1901 Addingham, Yorkshire Census: 6 & 7, High Mill Lane - Tom Foster, aged 3 years, born Addingham, son of George and Sarah A. Foster.
1911 Addingham, Yorkshire Census: 7, High Mill Lane - Tom Foster, aged 14 years, born Addingham. [Tom was living with his three brothers. Their mother, Sarah Ann Foster, a widow, was then a patient at Coronation Hospital, Springs Lane, Ilkley, Yorkshire.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Tom Foster, 12792; 266657, Gordons.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Tom Foster, 12792; 266657, 6th Gordon Hdrs; 5th Gordon Hdrs; 7th Gordon Hdrs.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Thomas Foster, 266657, 1/7th Bttn Gordon Hrs. Date and Place of Death: 9-14/4/18 France. Death Presumed. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Sarah A. £17 16s. 3d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: Pte Thomas Foster, 266657, 5th Gordons. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mrs Sarah Ann Foster. Relationship: Mother. Address: 6, High Mill, Addingham, Ilkley, Yorks.
Tom was killed in action between 9 and 14 April 1918 during the Battles of the Lys, 9-29 April.
British Red Cross & Order Of St John Enquiry List, Wounded & Missing, 1914-1919: Record exists for Tom.
Tom is commemorated in the Rolls of Honour at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
Data Source: Local War Memorial
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Private Tom FOSTER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Gordon Highlanders
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 51st (Highland) Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Private Tom Foster
When Tom enlisted in the Army he joined the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders; this photograph was taken whilst he was serving with them
Courtesy of Michael G. Gill
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
20 October 1916
ADDINGHAM – SOLDIERS' LETTERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgement of parcels.
Pte. Lawrence Whitaker, of the 1/4th Cameron Highlanders, writes:– “I have now got down to the base again after about a month in hospital and I can assure you that the rest has been quite welcome. I came across W. Townson a few days ago and we have had a pleasant night or two since we first met. I have lost a few good pals during the big push, of course, including Stap, who was one of the lucky lads. I am pleased to say I have not had a scratch yet, although I’ve been very near it. But poor ‘Old Jerry’ has been getting it pretty hot now, just like our boys got it at the early part of the war. I hope that in the course of a few months we shall be able to see the ‘Old Country’ and the ‘Old Village’ and ‘Jerry’ at St. Helena. H. Town is still pegging ‘at em’ somewhere in France. As for Tom Foster I cannot say, I’ve heard no news of him lately, but I hope we shall all meet again shortly.”
24 November 1916
ADDINGHAM SOLDIER WOUNDED
Mrs. Foster, of High Mill Lane, has received the following from her son, Tom Foster, of the Cameron Highlanders, Leeds Infirmary:–“You will be surprised to hear I am in the above infirmary. I was wounded on November 13th at Beaumont [Hamel], and have been sent here. My wounds are not serious and I am going on all right. We are very comfortable here, and are looked after very well. My injuries are in the hands, so a bed-mate has written for me.” Foster is 20 years old and enlisted in November 1915. He has been at the Front about five months. He is the youngest of four brothers serving.
27 July 1917
ADDINGHAM – LETTERS FROM LOCAL SOLDIERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels sent out:–
Pte. T. Foster, of the Gordon Highlanders:–“Many thanks for parcel received on Saturday. I am keeping first class so far, but how long for I don’t know as we are expecting something doing before long and I am hoping to get another nice ‘Blighty.’
10 August 1917
ADDINGHAM
Pte. Tom Foster, of the Gordon Highlanders, has been wounded a second time. His mother has received the following postcard from the Church of England Chaplain:– “Your son wished me to let you know that he has been wounded and is being sent down to hospital. He will write to you himself when he can forward you his address, meanwhile he sends his best love and asks you not to be anxious.”
24 August 1917
ADDINGHAM – NEWS OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS
Pte. Tom Foster, of the Gordon Highlanders, reported wounded last week, in a letter to his mother says he is in hospital at Hampstead, London, suffering from wounds in the right forearm, head, and left knee and is going on nicely, but he has his arm and leg in splints. He was wounded on July 31st. This is the second time he has been wounded.
17 May 1918
WOUNDED AND MISSING
Private Tom Foster, of the Gordon Highlanders, son of Mrs. Foster, High Mill Lane, Addingham, is missing. Private Foster is 21 years of age, and enlisted on November 15th, 1915. He was employed by Messrs. G. H. Walton, Townhead Mills, as warehouseman.
30 August 1918
ADDINGHAM – News of the Missing
We are glad to report news has been heard of Private Tom Foster, of the Gordon Highlanders, who has been missing a considerable time. Notification has been received by his sister from the Central Prisoners of War Committee, London, to say that he is reported a prisoner of war. He has been missing since April 12th of this year. He was wounded twice previously. He is 21 years of age, and has three brothers serving.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
19 November 1915
ADDINGHAM
ENLISTMENTS – On Tuesday morning there was quite a crowd to give a send off to half-a-dozen young men who, during the weekend, had joined the Cameron Highlanders and were bound for Inverness. Their names are Lawrence Whitaker, Arthur Taylor, Fred Stapleton, Henry Hudson, Harry Town and Tom Foster. It is expected there will be a large batch of recruits this weekend.
24 November 1916
ADDINGHAM SOLDIER IN HOSPITAL
Mrs. Foster, of High Mill Lane, received the following from her son, Tom Foster, of the Cameron Highlanders:– “Leeds Infirmary. Dear Mother, – You will be surprised to hear I am in the above infirmary. I was wounded on November 13th at Beaumont, and have been sent here. My wounds are not serious, and I am going on all right. We are very comfortable here and are looked after very well. My injuries are in the hands, so a bed-mate has written for me.” Foster is 20 years old, and enlisted in November 1915. He has been at the Front about five months. He is the youngest of four brothers serving.
27 July 1917
ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgement of parcels sent out:-
Pte. T. Foster, of the Gordon Highlanders, writes:- “Many thanks for the parcel received on Saturday. I am keeping first class so far, but how long for I don’t know, as we are expecting something doing before long, and I am hoping to get another nice Blighty.”
10 August 1917
ADDINGHAM SOLDIER WOUNDED – Lance-Corpl. Joyce Attwood, of the East Yorks., is in hospital suffering from wounds. In a letter to his father-in-law, Mr. Carline, Craven Heifer Hotel, he says:– “I am in hospital suffering from a number of wounds. The worst is a shrapnel wound in the right leg against the skin, and the skin is practically off my right thigh and first finger of my right hand and chest, and left arm badly bruised. The reason for my being knocked about so is because I was buried by a shell which burst on the top of the funk-hole I was in. You might think my wounds seem a lot, but in reality they are little, and I shall be back with the battalion in a few weeks. I expect I shall not be fortunate enough to get to Blighty. – Pte. Tom Foster, of the Gordon Highlanders, has been wounded a second time. His mother has received the following post-card from the Church of England chaplain:– “Your son wished me to let you know that he has been wounded and is being sent down to hospital. He will write to you himself when he can forward you his address. Meanwhile he sends his best love and asks you not to be anxious.” – Pte. John Parkinson, youngest son of Mr. John Parkinson, High Mill, is in hospital in Scotland, suffering from wounds. He has not stated the nature of the wounds.
31 August 1917
ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS
Mr. Flint has received the following letters:–
Gunner Parkinson writes from hospital in Scotland:- “Thanks for your welcome letter. I was sorry to hear about T. Foster getting wounded again. I am pleased to say I am improving splendidly and hoping to be home shortly. It will be a treat to walk down the old lanes again.”
17 May 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Addingham Soldier Missing
We regret to report that Pte. Tom Foster, of the Gordon Highlanders, is missing. The mother, Mrs. Foster, High Mill Lane, Addingham, received a letter from the chaplain, which states:– “It is with much regret that I hare to inform you that your son, Pte. T. Foster, is reported missing. I have been unable to obtain any details, but should any particulars reach us you shall at once hear. I, with the officers and men of the battalion, deeply sympathise with you, in your great anxiety.” Pte. Foster, who is 21 years of age, enlisted in November, 1915, and has been wounded twice, the first time in November, 1916, and the second in July, 1917. Before enlisting he was employed at Messrs. G.H. Walton’s, Townhead Mills, as warehouseman.
30 August 1918
Addingham Prisoner of War
News has been received of Pte. Tom Foster, of Addingham, serving with the Gordon Highlanders. His sister has been no notified by the Central Prisoners of War Committee, London, that he is reported a prisoner of war. He has been missing since April 12th of this year. He was wounded twice previously. He is 21 years of age, and has three brothers serving.
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