FRANK FOSTER 1897–1986

Frank Foster

Photo from Cutler collection showing Frank as a member of Radcliffe Cricket Club, 1922

Brother of Owen

Born 17th November 1897 in Radcliffe on Trent

Baptised 6th February 1898, St Mary’s Church, Radcliffe on Trent

Married 3rd September 1930 to Milbra C. C. Devey – no children

Married 1938 to Doris Marjory Stray, two sons: Michael born 1940, Richard born 1942 in Nottingham.

Died October 1986, age 88

1901 Census

Age 3 and living with father Richard, 50 a cattle dealer born in Radcliffe on Trent, mother Louisa née Dudley, 40, born in Doncaster, brothers Charles 14, Owen 8 and sisters Edith 10, Mary Dudley 6, Florrie 5 and Agnes 12 all born in Radcliffe on Trent. They lived on Bolton Road (Terrace), Radcliffe on Trent.

Radcliffe on Trent School Register

Admitted to local school 2 June 1901, admission number 1582.

1911 Census

Age 13 at school living with father Richard, a cattle dealer, mother Louisa, and brothers Charles, an insurance clerk, Owen, a solicitor’s clerk and sisters Edith, a dressmaker’s assistant, Mary Dudley, domestic duties and Florrie a milliner’s assistant. They lived in a house with six rooms on Bolton Road (Terrace), Radcliffe on Trent.

Military Service

Rank: Signaller

Service Number: 165708

Military Unit: C Battery, Royal Field Artillery, 277 Brigade (from 4.3.17), previously 3rd Reserve Battery

Theatre of War: France and Flanders, date of entry 15.2.17. Total war service abroad 1 year 8 months

Enlisted: 18.11.15

Age on enlistment: 18. Occupation: Insurance Clerk. Next of kin: Richard Foster, father,  Bolton Terrace Radcliffe on Trent. Height, 5ft 6¾ins, weight: 131½ lbs, girth 35ins, R of Exp 2½ ins. Distinguishing marks, mole on left cheek. Religion: Church of England.

4.9.16: Mobilized at Newcastle upon Tyne

6.9.16: Posted no.1 Depot RFA, Newcastle on Tyne, Gunner

8.12.16: Tonsillitis 4 days

25.1.17: Qualified as first class signaller

15.2.17: France

4.3.17: Posted C/277 AFA Brigade

5.1.18: 15 days leave to UK

Wounded

26.3.18: Admitted ICT (inflammation of connective tissue) legs and buttock

4.5.18: Discharged to Base

13.5.18: Admitted 2 General Hospital, Havre, with tonsillitis

26.5.18: Admitted 4 Convalescent Depot

11.6.18: Discharged to Reinforcement Camp, Havre

7.7.18: Joined from 2nd Army Reinforcement Camp and posted to Field

7.10.18: Home. In 3rd Western General Hospital with suspected dysentery

Letter from Mrs Pike, Cropwell Road, Radcliffe on Trent dated 19 June 1917

Dear Sir,
Can you give me any information concerning my brother Signaller Frank Foster, 165708, C Battery, 277 Brigade RFA from whom we have not heard lately,
Yours truly,
Mrs C W Pike
. (wife of Charles Wightman Pike, see his biography).

Wounded and illness: Medical record

Great Western General Hospital Cardiff 7 October 1918 – 2 December 1918 with dysentery. Pain in abdomen – some diarrhoea with some blood present. Has had an attack of tonsillitis- now fit clinically. Wounded 26 March 1918 but remained on duty.

Medals Awarded: British War and Victory, which he received October 27 1921.

Military Personnel Address on 1918 Electoral Register

Bolton Terrace, Radcliffe on Trent, with brother Owen and father Richard

1921 Census

Address:  Bolton Terrace, Radcliffe

Employment: Insurance clerk, Northern Assurance, Victoria Street, Nottingham

Household: father Richard, retired, sisters Edith and Florrie, shop assistant, Skinner and Rook, Long Row, Nottingham and orphaned niece Dorothy Pike.

1939 Register

Unable to find

Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

Born and lived in Radcliffe on Trent.