John Foster
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
John known as Jack Foster was born on 20th April 1894 at Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, he was the son of John William a bricklayer and Elizabeth Ann Foster née Green, of Long Bennington, Lincolnshire and 13 Depot Yard, Kirkgate, Newark.
His father John William Foster was born in 1865 at Long Bennington, his mother Elizabeth Ann Green was also born iin 1865 at Long Bennington, they were married in 1887 at Caistor, Lincolnshire, they went on to have 11 children, sadly 1 was to die in infancy or early cildhood.
In the 1911 census his parents and siblings were living at Mill Hill, Long Bennington Road, Grantham John William Foster 46 yrs is a bricklayer, he is living with his wife Elizabeth Ann Foster 46 yrs and their children, Gertude Emma 19 yrs no occupation, Kate Annie 10 yrs, Jean 7 yrs, Joseph 6 yrs and Ernest Leslie Foster 3 yrs old.
In the same 1911 census we find that John Foster has left the family home, he is living at Long Bennington, near Grantham, he is living with his uncle, John Foster 67 yrs a house painter he is shown as being 17 yrs of age and is an apprentice bricklayer.
His pension record card shows his dependant as Elizabeth Ann Foster (his mother) of 13 Depot Yard, Kirkgate, Newark.
Lance Corporal John Foster enlisted at Newark, he initially served with the service number 3736 in the Sherwood Foresters Regiment, later transferring to the 6th battalion Machine Gun Corps, he was killed in action on 22nd March 1918 in France , having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial France.
Nottingham Evening Post In Memoriam (abridged) 22/3/1919:
'Foster. In ever loving memory of Lance Corpl. Jack Foster of Newark, killed in action March 22nd 1918.'
additional research and information Peter Gillings
Photo of John Foster
Arras Memorial courtesy of the cwgc