Name
George Edward Coster
22 Dec 1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/06/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
18987
Northamptonshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 43 and 45.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, All Saints Church Memorial, Leavesden, Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Frogmore, We are not aware of any memorial in Garston, Not on the St Albans memorials(*1)
Pre War
George Edward was the youngest son of Edward and Eva (nee WARNER) COSTER of Waterdale, Watford. George was born on 22 Dec 1895 in St Alban’s [not Watford], and was baptised on 16 February 1896 at All Saints, Leavesden, Herts. His parents had married on 2 October 1887 at St Peter’s, St Alban’s, Herts. Edward died 21 December 1941 aged 76; Eva died 17 February 1955 aged 88; both in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 5 he was living in Waterdale, Leavesden, with his parents and older brothers Harry, Bertie, Thomas and his sister Annie. On the 1911 Census, a telegraph boy aged 15, he still lived in Waterdale, with his parents and brothers Harry and Thomas. Another brother Edward Alfred lived with his grandparents Alfred and Eliza Warner in St Albans.
Two newspapers that reported his death report him as of Garston.
Wartime Service
George enlisted in the Northamptonshire Regiment as Private 18987 and went to France on 25 Nov 1915 to join 7th Battalion of his Regiment.
He was wounded at Armentieres in June 1916 and was saved by his testament and note case. Sadly his luck did not last and was killed in action on 16 Jun 1917 following his Battalion’s involvement in the Battle of Messine Ridge. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for George in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 21 July 1917; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 15 June 1918. Brothers Harry served with 6 Battalion Northants Regiment and died on 19 Feb 1917 ; Bertie with Royal Field Artillery and survived although being discharged (invalided sickness); Edward served with London Regiment and Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers being killed in action on 25 Oct 1918.; Thomas served in the Labour Corps 22601 and survived. *1 Records found have recorded his birthplace as St Albans. This may be the case, however St Albans was the main postal location given for nearby villages and hamlets, so it may be that this information is misleading. If more accurate information found this will be updated.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
