Stephen Ewart Foster Locker
In 1911 - book stall clerk (Boots)
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Stephen Ewart Foster was the only child of Joseph Pickering Locker and his wife Idonia (née Foster).
His father Joseph Pickering was born in 1863 at Newhall, Derbyshire, the son of Josiah Locker and his first wife, Mary. Josiah and Mary (née Pickering) were married at Hugglescote parish church, Leicestershire, on 27 May 1844, but made their home in Derbyshire. Mary died in June 1872 (buried Newhall, Derbyshire) and Josiah married Sarah Hardwick in 1873 (OND). They were recorded on the 1881 Census in Newhall with Josiah's children, Joseph (17), Edith and George.
His mother Idonia was born in 1865, at Newhall, Derbyshire, the daughter of Stephen and Rachel Ann Foster (née Collins, m. Newhall St John, Derbyshire, 30 January 1863). Stephen Foster (32, b. Swarkestone Derbyshire), a collier, and Rachel (37, b. Swadlincote Derbyshire) and their daughter Idonia (6) were living in Newhall, in 1871. However, the family had moved to 7 Storer Street, Sneinton, Nottingham, by 1881; Stephen and Rachel were grocers and Idonia was recorded as 'grocers' daughter'.
Joseph and Idonia were married in 1889 (JFM Nottingham). The birth of their son Stephen Ewart Foster was registered in the Ilkeston (Erewash) registration district in 1889 and the Basford (Nottingham) registration district in 1890 (JFM), suggesting that Stephen was born in December 1889. Idonia died at Ilkeston, Derbyshire, on 5 January 1890 at the age of 25. Administration of her estate was granted in May the same year to her widower Joseph who was then living at 32 Stewart Place, Alfred Street South, Nottingham.
Joseph, a sewing machine agent, and his son, Stephen (1) were recorded on the 1891 Census at the same address, 32 Stewart Place, where they were boarders in the home of William Rogers (44), a warehouseman, and his wife Frances Clara (née Foster).
Frances Clara Foster was born in Weston-on-Trent, Derbyshire, in 1851 (JAS), the daughter of William and Catherine (née Ward, m. November 1848 reg. Swarkestone, Derbyshire). William and Catherine were living in Weston-on-Trent at the time of the 1851 Census, a few months before Frances' birth. The family had moved to Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire, by 1861, then in 1871 were recorded at Great Stewart Place, Alfred Street, Nottingham: William, Catherine and their children, John, William, Frances, George and Harry. Frances Clara married William Rogers in 1875 (AMJ Nottingham) and in 1881 she and her husband were living with her widowed mother, Catherine Foster, and her two younger brothers, George and Harry, at 32 Stewart Place.
Although the relationship between the Foster and Locker families has yet to be confirmed, it does seem likely, given the strong connection of both with Derbyshire, that there were earlier familial ties before Joseph and Idonia's marriage in 1889.
Joseph and his son, Stephen, were still living with William and Frances Rogers in 1901, but were now at 39 Barker Gate. Joseph and William were in partnership as tobacconists; William, who was head of household, had described Joseph as 'partner' and Stephen as 'partner's son' on the census return.
William Rogers died on 5 September 1909 aged 62 and his widow Frances married Joseph in 1910 (OND). Joseph (47), a tobacconist (own account), Frances (58) and Stephen (21), a book stall clerk (Boots), were recorded at 39 Barker Gate on the 1911 Census.
Joseph died on 30 January 1926, aged 62; the notice of his death gave his address as 39 Barker Gate. His widow Frances Clara died on 6 June the following year, aged 74. They were buried in Nottingham General Cemetery.
Stephen Ewart Foster enlisted in Nottingham; service records give his first names as 'Stephen Foster'.
He served with the Royal Field Artillery and the CWGC record gives his unit as'B' Battery, 211th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. The same record gives his rank as serjeant as does the Medal record, but both the Register of Soldiers Effects and Soldiers Died in the Great War record give his rank as 'acting sergeant' and the Probate record 'corporal'.
Stephen served with the BEF France and died from gunshot wounds on 22 October 1918 at the 46th Casualty Clearing Station at Delsaux Farm. He is buried in Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny, France (grave ref. I.H.15).
He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC history of Delsaux Farm Cemetery (extract): 'Delsaux Farm was a point on the German defensive system known as the Beugny-Ytres line, which was reached by Commonwealth troops on 18 March 1917, and passed on the following day. The farm was lost on 23 March 1918 ... but it was retaken by the 5th Division on 2 September 1918, and on the next day the same division occupied Beugny village. After their advance in March 1918, the Germans made a cemetery (Beugny Military Cemetery No.18) at the cross-roads, and in it buried 103 Commonwealth and 82 German dead. The site was extended in October - November 1918 by the 29th and 46th Casualty Clearing Stations, which came to Delsaux Farm and made the present cemetery. A little later, the German graves of March 1918 were removed and the 103 Commonwealth dead reburied in Plot I, Row J, Plot II, Row A, and Plot III, Rows B, C and D. The rest of the cemetery was made when graves were later brought in from the battlefield.' (www.cwgc.org)
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone inscription: In loving memory of William Rogers who entered into rest Sept. 5th. 1909 aged 62 years. 'Lovingly remembered.' Als0 Joseph Pickering Locker who passed into the homeland Jany. 30th 1926 aged 62 years. 'His life was full of gentle ministries.' Also Foster Locker, son of the above, who died of wounds in France Oct. 18th. (sic) 1918, aged 27 years. 'Thy word is true, Thy will is best, To Thee we leave him, Lord, in trust.' Also Frances Clara Locker who died June 6th. 1927, aged 74 years. 'At rest.'
CWGC Additional information: Son of Mr. J. P. Locker, of 39 Barker Gate, Nottingham.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Love until we meet again Father & Mother'
WW1 Pension Ledgers: named his stepmother, Frances Clara Locker.
Registers of Soldiers' Effects: named his father/executor, Joseph P Locker.
Probate: Locker Stephen Ewart Foster of 39 Barker-gate Nottingham corporal in HM Army died 22 October 1918 in France Probate Nottingham 24 December to Joseph Pickering Locker tobacconist. Effects £1870 12s.
Administration of the personal estate of Idonia Locker (Wife of Joseph Pickering Locker) late of Ilkeston in the County of Derby who died 5 January 1890 at Ilkeston was granted at Derby to the said Joseph Pickering Locker of 32 Stewart-place Alfred-street-South in the town of Nottingham Sewing Machine Agent. Personal Estate £100.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 6 September 1909. ‘Rogers. On the 5th inst., at 39 Barker-gate, William Rogers, after a painful illness. Funeral General Cemetery, Thursday 2.30pm.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 11 September 1909: ‘Mrs W Rogers wishes to gratefully thank all the friends who have expressed their sympathy with her in her hour of trial and bereavement by sending such kind letters and beautiful wreaths and flowers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 8 November 1918: Locker. Died abroad from gun shot wounds, on October 22nd 1918, Sergt. SEF Locker. Grief too strong for words. We shall all meeet again in the morning. From mother (sic) and father.’
(www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 8 November 1918: Locker. Died abroad from gun shot wounds, on October 22nd 1918, Sergt. SEF Locker. We shall understand when the day breaks in the home beyond the river. From Hilda.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Note: no record of a marriage, so perhaps Stephen's fiancée.
Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 1919. 'Locker. In loving memory of our dear son, Sergeant Foster Locker, died of wounds in France, October 22nd, 1918. 'Tis one long year since our sorrow fell, and still we mourn for the one we loved so well. From father, mother (sic), and Hilda, 39 Barker-gate, Nottingham.' Courtesy Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 29 January 1927: ‘Locker. In loving memory of Joseph Pickering Locker, of 39 Barker-gate, who was called home, January 30th, 1926. He is still my leading star, leading me on to higher thoughts.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate (extract). Joseph Pickering Locker died 39 Barker Gate 30 January 1926. Probate to Frances Clara Locker (£1165 16s 9d).
Nottingham Evening Post, 11 June 1927: ‘Halifax Place Mission. 10.45 Rev. JE Warrington; 6.30, Rev. WA Prunell, Memorial Service to the late Mrs Locker.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Photo of Stephen Ewart Foster Locker
Delsaux Farm Cemetery (www.cwgc.org)
Photo of Stephen Ewart Foster Locker
Nottingham General Cemetery: family grave with commemoration. Photograph Rachel Farrand (Sept. 2026)
Photo of Stephen Ewart Foster Locker
Nottingham General Cemetery: family grave with commemoration. Photograph Rachel Farrand (22 Sept. 2026)