Name
George Foster
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/04/1918
37
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
2644
East Surrey Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
B. 2.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin War Memorial, British Schools Museum Memorial, Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
He was born in St. Mary's Parish, Hitchin and attended Hitchin Boys British School. His home was at 8, Fairview Cottage, Kershaw's Hill, Hitchin and he was the eldest son of George and Phoebe Ann Foster.
He enlisted in Hitchin.
Wartime Service
George was given the Regimental Number G.2644 and posted to the 13th Battalion of the Regiment, which was part of the 119th Brigade in the 40th Division of XV Corps in the 1st Army. He was wounded on four occasions during his service and, after suffering a serious arm injury, he died of wounds in a Casualty Clearing Station in France, probably during the Battle of Estaires. This would have been either No. 33 or No. 54 Casualty Clearing Station in Haverskerque.
The fighting involving the 13th Battalion occurred on the River Lys on the line Armentieres to Laventie south of the Steenwerck stream after a German attack. The Brigade was called on to counter-attack in order to recover the Bac St. Maur bridgehead but they were forced back with heavy casualties. He was buried in Row B, Grave 2 in Haverskerque British Cemetery in France. A private inscription on the headstone reads "Gone but never forgotten”.
Additional Information
His brother, Harry was killed in action on the 13th February 1916.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
