Name
William Henry Foster
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/12/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
27950
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st/5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY
G. 44.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hertford Heath memorials, Not on Great Amwell memorials, Not on the Watford memorials
Pre War
William H was born in Great Amwell in 1876 to William Foster, a labourer, and Harriet (nee Mason).
His parents married 5 June 1875 at Holy Trinity, Little Amwell, Herts. William died 1884 in Great Amwell, Herts, aged 45, and was buried 11 February at Holy Trinity, Little Amwell; Harriet died 1903 in Hertford aged 65, and was buried 17 April, also at Holy Trinity.
On the 1881 Census William was living with his parents, younger brother, Thomas H and sister Ellen J, also his grandfather William Snr., at Elbow Lane, Great Amwell. On the 1891 Census William H was working as an agricultural labourer living at Elbow Lane Cottage with his grandfather William Snr, mother, Thomas and sisters Ellen Jane and Harriet (born in 1883). On the 1901 Census William was working as a gardener and living with his mother at Ivey Passage, Hertford.
William is believed to have been a resident of Watford prior to Military Service.
Officially recorded as born in Hertford Heath (prod Great Amwell) and was living in Watford when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
William enlisted as Private 27950 in the 5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment (Territorial Force). There are no service records available for William but this unit was renamed as 1/5 Battalion and was present at Suvla Landings, Gallipoli on 11 Aug 1915 until the evacuation in Jan 1916.
In 1916 the Bedfordshires were in Egypt on Suez Canal duties before taking part in the Battles of Gaza in 1917. During the Battle of Jaffa 20 Dec 1917 where 1/5 Beds attacked Yafa Hill at bayonet point. William was one of 9 other Ranks wounded. He died of his wounds on 23 Dec 1917.
He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £7 10s and arrears of £9 9s 2d was paid to his sister Ellen J Foster.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
