Name
William Charles Foster
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/10/1919
39
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sapper
67195
Royal Engineers
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
West Section, Grave 620
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Identifying William Charles Foster in the various census has proved difficult because although we know he is buried in Hitchin, the only other Hitchin connection established are the two Hitchin addresses recorded for his wife, Bessie Elizabeth Foster, after his death. There are a number of possible William’s in Hitchin censuses, but none seem to have the middle name or initial ‘Charles’ so he cannot be positively identified. Looking at his widow, Bessie Elizabeth born 2 April 1880 (from pension card) several possible records have been found. There is a marriage record for William Charles Foster marrying Bessie Elizabeth Cook on 14 August 1898 and details appear to fit correctly. However, they married in Rotherhithe, Kent and in the 1901 and 1911 censuses they are both listed as born in Rotherhithe, as are most of their children – the other being born in Bermondsey. So again no connection to Hertfordshire is revealed that might confirm these are the correct people.
As present we can only surmise that they mat be the right couple, and that they moved to Hitchin sometime after 1911. If that is true their details are as follows, however this information really require corroboration.
In 1901 the family were living at Cynton Road, Bermonsey, Hitchin. Present were both parents: William C (21) and Bessie E (20), with William working as a dock labourer. Their only child was Albert V, who was just sic months old.
By 1911 the family were living at 48 Haydock Road, South Bermondsey. Present were both parents, William now working as a steam crane driver in the docks. The census recorded they had been married for 12 years with 9 children, of whom 4 had died. The children now listed were John William (9), Lilian Ivy (8), Frederick James (6), Margaret Allen (2) and Robert Henry (1).
Wartime Service
His entry in the National Roll of the Great War has been found – this would have been submitted by his family or someone who knew him well. According to this he volunteered in February 1915 and went to France in the same year. However, from the medals he received and the lack of a a 1915 date on his medal cards, he would not have entered France until 1916. He was engaged in keeping telegraphic communications at Loos, on the Somme, Arras, Ypres and Cambrai where he was wounded. He was demobilised in February 1919, but later died from a perforated duodenal ulcer illness incurred, as a result of his service. Although records record he had been discharged no Silver War Badge has been found. His Regimental Number was 67197.
A Commonwealth War Graves Commission stone marks his grave and he was buried in Grave 620 in Hitchin Cemetery.
Additional Information
His pension cards record Bessie Foster, his widow, as his next of kin, living at 11 Thorpes Yard, Hitchin – this was later amended to 7 Kendale Road, Hitchin. It seems an application was refused on 5 August 1920, but she was awarded a £7 gratuity on 22 August 1920. However, she appealed for a pension on 5 September 1921.
CWGC gives his date of death as 23/10/1919, however his death certificate gives 25/10/1919.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
