Robert Foster
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Robert Foster was born on 18th February 1889 at Caythorpe, he was baptised on 20th May 1890 at St Marys Church Lowdham, he was the son of George a frame work knitter and Ann Foster néé Wilson of Caythorpe village. His father George was born in 1854 at Caythopre and died on 1st October 1914, his mother Ann Wilson was born in 1852 at Bulcote, they were married in 1874 their marriage was recorded in the Southwell Registration district. they went on to have 14 children, sadly 3 were to die in infancy or early childhood, their children listed in the 1901/1911 census were Samuel b1879, Elizabeth b1881, Mary Ann b1882, William b1886, Thomas b1889, Robert b1890, Walter b1892, John George b1894 and Hannah b1896 all were born in Cathorpe. In the 1911 census the family are living at Caythorpe village and are shown as George 57 yrs a frame work knitter, he is living with his wife Ann 58 yrs and their children, Samuel 32 yrs a bricklayers labourer, Elizabeth 30 yrs no occupation listed, William 25 yrs a lace warehouseman, Robert 21 yrs a farm labourer, Walter 19 yrs a market gardener, John George 17 yrs a nursery clerk and Hannah 15 yrs a dress maker.
Private Robert Foster enlisted at Lowdham on 9th December 1915, he gave his age as 25 yrs and 2 months, he gave his address as Caythorpe and his next of kin as his mother Ann Foster of the same address, he gave his occupation as that of a carter. He was posted to the reserves the following day. On 17th February 1916 he was mobilised for war and joined at the depot at Derby and was posted to the 3rd battalion Sherwood Foresters. He landed in France on 28th August 1916 and posted to the 2nd battalion Sherwood Foresters on 21st September 1916. He was killed in action on 9th September 1917 and is buried at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Loos, Pas de Calais, France. grave reference 2.F.4
His brother Sergeant Walter Foster enlisted at Newark whilst residing at Caythorpe, he initially served with the service number 32687 in the Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). He was killed in action on 27th May 1918 and having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France.
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