Soldier Record
William Foster
Contributed by: Sue Cassidy, on 2008-11-04
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | William |
| Surname | Foster |
| Year of Birth | 1880 |
| Year of Death | 1942 |
| Regiment | Royal Fusiliers |
| Place of Wartime Residence | Chingford/Epping, Essex |
William's Story
William Foster was what would now be called a Reservist. When the Boer War started he join volunteered - he was attached to the 2nd Imperial Light Horse in South Africa. He was sent home after his horse fell on him and broke his leg - he saw service at Ladysmith etc. He went back to civvy street but remained a Reservist. WWI - he joined the Royal Fusiliers and went to the Somme (DCM) and Ypres Salient (St. Elois) - wounded - MC. He served until 1921 as an instructor in horsemanship and marksmanship. Sent to UK military mission in Washington (why?). Returned to civvy street.
Boer War/WWI/WWII
In 1926 he was a Special Constable for duration of 'troubles.' In 1939, too old for WWII so joined Home Guard, and served a rank below as Lieutenant. He was teaching weapon training when a live grenade was thrown into the training bunker. William Foster threw himself on it thus saving around 30 lives.
He did not return to civvy street - posthumous GC.
Buried in Commonwealth War Grave in the graveyard of Alderbury St Mary, Wiltshire.
No additional memories have been submitted