1851936 Regimental Sergeant Major CHARLES WILLIAM FOSTER, R.E.

Figure 1. Lance Corporal Charles William Foster, R.E. in Malta.
(Photograph from the author’s collection)

Unless otherwise noted, the details supplied in this narrative were extracted from original documents and photographs obtained at the same time that the author obtained various items of military clothing, equipment and memorabilia belonging to RSM Foster. The Foster collection, presently in the possession of the author, consists of the following items:

· Royal Engineers blue tunic with Staff Sergeant's rank insignia, collar badges and ribbon bar consisting of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.[1]

· Identification bracelet with band bearing the inscription 1851396 C W Foster R.E.

Figure 3. Silver Plated Goblet and Bronze Name Plate.
(Photograph from the author’s collection)

Figure 4. Identification Bracelet.
(Photograph from the author’s collection)

· Original Warrant dated December 1, 1923 appointing Foster a Warrant Officer Class II.

Figure 5. Foster’s Service Cap.
(Photograph from the author’s collection)

Figure 6. The Tunic of Staff Sergeant C.W. Foster, R.E.
(Photograph from the author’s collection)

Complete descriptions of the documents in the collection are listed under References at the end of this narrative. Where sources other than the documents in the collection have been used, these are annotated in the Endnotes.

2. EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY INFORMATION

Charles William Foster was born on 3 December 1890 in Aldershot, Hampshire. He was the son of Corporal Charles Cornelius Foster, R.E. (1869-1907) and Mary Martha Foster, née Flaherty (1866-1938). The composition of the Foster family at the time of Charles’ birth is shown in the 1891 Census.

Census Place: Royal Engineers Barracks, Aldershot, Hampshire
Name and Surname of each Person	Relation	Marital Status	Age	Profession or Occupation	Birthplace
[Charles] Cornelius Foster	Head	Married	22	Corporal, Royal Engineers	Gibraltar British Subject
Mary [Martha] Foster	Wife	Married	23		Ceylon British Subject
[Charles] William Foster	Son		4mos		Aldershot, Hants

After the birth of Charles, the Fosters had two more children; Winifred Dora Mabel (1892-1929) and Percy Victor Foster (1896-1916). In 1901 the family was residing in Chatham, Kent as shown in the census for that year.

Census Place: Brompton Barracks, Chatham, Kent.
Name and Surname of each Person	Relation	Marital Status	Age	Profession or Occupation	Birthplace
[Charles] Cornelius Foster	Head	Married	32	Corporal, Royal Engineers	India
Mary Martha Foster	Wife	Married	32	Dressmaker At Home	Ceylon
Charles William Foster	Son		10		Aldershot, Hampshire
Winifred D.M. Foster	Daughter		8		Aldershot, Hampshire
Percy Victor Foster	Son		4		Aldershot, Hampshire

Charles William Foster was a student up until the age of 14 years and 10 months, when he enlisted in the Army as a Boy Soldier. He appears in the 1911 Census as a Sapper in the 28^th (Fortress) Company in Malta. The fact that he enlisted as a Boy Soldier indicates that he planned to follow in his father’s footsteps. His brother Percy would also enlist in the Royal Engineers, perhaps as a Boy Soldier, but he could not have done so until 1911.

The only description of Charles William Foster that the author was able to uncover was his Description on Discharge from the Regular Army in 1934:

Charles William Foster enlisted in the Royal Engineers as a Boy Soldier at Chatham, Kent on 11 October 1905 for a period of 12 years with the Colours.[2]^,[3] While serving as a Boy Soldier, Foster took advantage of the Army's educational system. He earned a Third Class Certificate of Education on 20 October 1905 and a Second Class Certificate of Education on 22 November 1905.[4] The fact that he was able to earn both of these certificates in just a little over a month following his enlistment is a testament to his intelligence and to his education prior to entering the service.

On 27 February 1909, at the age of 18 years and 2 months, Foster entered the ranks of the Royal Engineers as a Sapper.[5] He was mustered into the ranks as a Skilled Draughtsman (Mechanical), again indicating some preparation on his part and application to his studies in order to arrive at this skill level in mechanical drawing. When he was mustered into the ranks he was given Regimental Number 15073.[6] In all likelihood he remained at Chatham for about a year after entering the ranks in order to undergo recruit training as an engineer soldier.[7]

On 4 January 1910 Sapper Foster embarked for service on the island Malta and on 14 October 1912 he re-engaged to complete 21 years with the Colours.[8] At the time of his posting to Malta the 24^th (Fortress) Company, R.E. and the 28^th (Fortress) Company, R.E. both were serving on the island. When the Great War of 1914-1918 began on 5 August 1914, Foster was still serving on Malta. On this date he became eligible for campaign service with the Expeditionary Force Malta. Since the 24^th (Fortress) Company had deployed to France in March of 1915[9], it is most probable that Foster served in the 28^th Company. The 28^th Company was one of eleven fortress companies serving abroad at the time of the start of the Great War that was not withdrawn from coast defence duties. It remained on Malta to perform electric light and works duties for the coastal defences of the island. Foster served with the company on Malta until 9 August 1916 when he returned home to England after a period of 4 years and 86 days abroad. He served at home for 296 days before being assigned to the British Expeditionary Force in France.

Foster embarked for France on 1 June 1917. Unfortunately, his service records give no indication of the unit(s) in which he served while in France. It is known that he is credited with campaign service with the Expeditionary Force in France until 15 December 1918. During his 1 year and 198 days in France he served as an Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant and for his service he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Foster arrived in England on 16 December 1918 and spent almost six months on Home Service before being post abroad once again. It may be assumed that part of the six months was spent on post-war leave.

On 6 June 1919 he embarked for service at Gibraltar where he was posted to the 45^th (Fortress) Company, Royal Engineers. He served as the Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant under the command of Captain George Cecil Campbell, R.E. On 15 December 1922 Captain Campbell made an assessment of Foster's performance of duty. In that assessment Campbell indicated that Foster was:

"Employed on Pay Duties 45^th Coy: R.E. from 1919 to date. A first rate C.Q.M.S. and Clerk and at the present time invaluable, a large amount of extra work being entailed by the temporary absence of the 15^th Coy: R.E. from Gibraltar."

Campbell also indicated that Foster's trade classification was "Draughtsman, Group A."

On 1 January 1924 Foster received another Commander's Assessment of Performance, this time by the new Commanding Officer of the 45^th (Fortress) Company, Captain N.A. Coxwell-Rogers, R.E.[10] Foster was still serving as the Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant at this time and again he was described as:

"Employed on Pay Duties 45^th Coy: R.E. till promoted C.S.M. prior to his leaving this Coy:. A first rate C.Q.M.S. and Clerk and invaluable as such during his service in this Coy:"

CQMS Foster was transferred to the 15^th (Fortress) Company, R.E. at Gibraltar where he assumed the duties of Company Sergeant Major. His outstanding performance as a senior non-commissioned officer continued and on 3 October 1924 Lieutenant A.C. MacDonald, R.E.,[11] the acting Officer Commanding the 15^th (Fortress) Company, assessed Foster's performance by indicating that he:

"Has done very well as C.S.M. A very good disciplinarian, very smart on parade, who at the same time has first rate knowledge of the interior economy and office routine of a unit. Absolutely invaluable."

Lieutenant MacDonald was soon replaced as O.C. by Captain Bernard Keith Young, R.E.[12] On 4 December 1924, as Foster was preparing to leave the 15^th (Fortress) Company for home, Captain Young indicated that Foster was:

"A very capable and efficient C.S.M. who should go a good deal further. An excellent rifle shot[13] and a keen sportsman. I am very sorry to lose him."

On 20 December 1924 CSM Foster received orders posting him to the Royal Engineers Training Battalion at Chatham, Kent. He departed Gibraltar and arrived home on 21 December 1924 after serving for 5 years and 192 days on "The Rock." Upon reporting for duty at Chatham he was posted as the Company Sergeant Major of "G" Company of the R.E. Training Battalion under Major H.F. Moore, R.E.[14] On 1 October 1925 Major Moore rated Foster as:

"An excellent C.S.M. Good disciplinarian and has good knowledge of office routine and Regimental work."

CSM Foster continued his service for a year with "G" Company, R.E.T.B. and on 1 October 1926 he received an additional assessment of his performance by the then acting Officer Commanding, Lieutenant F.W. Mann, R.E.[15] Lieutenant Mann indicated that Foster was:

"An excellent C.S.M. Very good disciplinarian - smart - capable - sound knowledge of office work."

On 11 June 1928 CSM Foster received his final Commander's Assessment of Performance as the Company Sergeant Major of "G" Company, R.E.T.B. Major H.F. Moore was back in command at this time. He indicated that Foster was:

"Excellent in every way, thoroughly capable and trustworthy and has very good knowledge of all routine work."

On 11 June 1928 Foster was transferred to Headquarters, Surrey Group, Anti-Aircraft Searchlight (A.A.S/L) Companies, R.E. (Territorial Army) as Acting Regimental Sergeant Major. His place of duty in this assignment was at Kingston-on-Thames where the Group Headquarters and the 316^th (Surrey) A.A.S/L Company were located. The Group consisted of two additional companies: the 315^th (Surrey) A.A.S/L Company located at Croydon and the 318^th (Surrey) A.A/S/L Company located at Guildford.[16]

While serving in this capacity, Foster applied to continue his service beyond 21 years.[17] On 21 June 1929 his request was approved and he was authorized to continue in service until the 2 December 1930.

On 29 August 1929 Captain R.R. Gillespie, R.E.[18], the Adjutant of the Surrey Group, Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Companies, R.E. (T.A.) wrote the following Commander's Assessment of Foster's Performance:

"Military Conduct: - Exemplary. Employed as Permanent Staff Instructor Territorial Army. Very reliable, sober, and hardworking. Excellent Clerk, runs an office efficiently. Firm and tactful controller of men, good accountant, suitable for any position of responsibility and trust. Initiative above average. Education good (1^st Class Certificate), pleasant manners.

Although RSM Foster was looking forward to continuing his service at least until the end of 1930, this was not to be the case without some argument on his part. On 30 April 1930 his authorization to continue his service beyond 21 years was rescinded unless he renounced all claim to promotion to Warrant Officer Class I. This bad news came in the form of a confidential letter to the Commander Royal Engineers, Surrey Group Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Companies from the Royal Engineers Records Office at Chatham. This letter is presented below in its entirety.

With reference to previous correspondence on your No. 4P/8/7, dated 3/6/29, and A.F.B.221 on which the continuance in the service of the Warrant Officer named above was approved by this office until 2/12/30.

1. It has recently come to notice that the approval to the continuance in the service of this Warrant Officer was at variance with instructions contained in this office circular memo. No. 22/27/R1 dated 2/12/27, inasmuch that, being still under the age of 40 years, a possibility exists that his continuance might interfere with the prospects of promotion of a junior to Warrant Officer Class I.

2. No vacancy for promotion to Warrant Officer Class I is due to occur before this Warrant Officer will have attained the age of 40 years, but unforeseen contingencies must be envisaged and provided for, as well as those that are known, and in order to ensure that no such complication will arrive it would appear that this Warrant Officer should now be given notice of discharge from the Service, a relief being available. This course may, however, be waived providing C.S.M. Foster will sign a certificate renouncing all claim to further promotion, and for this purpose a pro-forma is attached. If the certificate be signed by him there would be no objection to his being continued in the Service for another year from 3/12/30 if desired and recommended.

In order that I may be allowed to continue serving to complete the period of 12 months beyond 21 years service which was approved by the Officer-in-Charge R.E. Records, on 21^st June, 1929, I renounce all claim to promotion to Warrant Officer Class I.

On the surface of it, the rationale for having Foster indicate that he would decline promotion as a condition for his extension of service beyond 21 years would seem reasonable if the man applying for the extension was just an average non-commissioned officer with little potential for promotion. Obviously the Corps of Royal Engineers was interested in giving "young blood" a chance for advancement. However, Foster was only 40 years old and had an exemplary record of service. It is difficult to understand why the Corps did not consider that his further service and promotion would benefit the Army and the Royal Engineers.

Foster declined to renounce his claim to promotion to the permanent rank of Warrant Officer Class I thus essentially acknowledging the impending end of his military career. He continued in his duties as Acting Regimental Sergeant Major for the Surrey Group A.A.S/L Companies and on 30 September 1930 he was given another Commander's Assessment of Performance by Captain Gillespie that essentially echoed his previous assessment.

For reasons not explained in his military records, Foster was allowed to serve beyond the 2 December 1930 date. On 31 May 1931 he began to make preparations for his discharge. He requested letters of recommendation from the officers under whom he had served and two were provided without hesitation. From the Surrey Group Commander he received the following letter:

I have known Mr. C.W. Foster for the past three years, during which time he has served under me as Regimental Sergeant Major (Permanent Staff Instructor) of the Surrey Group Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Companies, Royal Engineers (T.A.).

He is a keen organiser and good disciplinarian, can run an office most efficiently, and has plenty of initiative and push in getting things done.

He bears an exemplary character, is trustworthy, sober and very hardworking, and has at all times proved himself worthy of the confidence placed in him.

I am very sorry to lose his services, and have every confidence in recommending him to any prospective employer, for any position of trust.

Major Henry Hughes, R.E. (T), the Second-in-Command of the Group provided Foster with the following letter:

It gives me great pleasure to testify on behalf of Mr. C.W. Foster, whom I have known personally for the past three years. He is a man of excellent moral character, sober, honest, hardworking, and very reliable.

He has initiative and a pleasant manner, combined with the ability to carry a job through thoroughly.

He can be confidently recommended for any position of responsibility or trust.

No additional correspondence was found in Foster's personal papers regarding his extension of service. Despite the R.E. Record Office position on his extension and his apparent preparations for discharge, Foster actually continued to serve with the Surrey Group and Kingston-on-Thames until 1934. It can only be assumed that he subsequently did renounce any opportunity of promotion to Warrant Officer Class I or that he was granted an exception to the conditions outlined in the R.E. Record Office letter of 30 April 1930.

Foster continued his duties as Acting Regimental Sergeant Major of the Surrey Group until the end of 1934. On 29 November 1934 Lieutenant Colonel Henry Hughes, then Commander Royal Engineers of the Surrey Group A.A.S/L Companies, completed Foster's Final Assessments of Conduct and Character on Leaving the Colours. Lieutenant Colonel Hughes indicated that RSM Foster's military conduct had been "Exemplary." In the testimonial Hughes wrote the following:

"Throughout his twenty nine years Army service he has proved exceptionally hard working and efficient. I have found him to be thoroughly trustworthy and to have excellent initiative. His clerical work has been very neatly and intelligently carried out and his knowledge of office work is thorough. He is fitted for any position of trust in connection with stores or financial accounting.

His bearing and speech are very superior. He is sober and practically a non-smoker.[20] He is a very good rifle shot[21] and keen on games.

Acting Regimental Sergeant Major Charles William Foster was discharged from the Regular Army on 2 December 1934. There is no record of him ever having received the Meritorious Service Medal recommended by Lieutenant Colonel Hughes.[22]

Charles William Foster was discharged from the Regular Army at Chatham, Kent on the 2^nd of December 1934 after more than 29 years of military service.[23] His rank at the time of his discharge was Company Sergeant Major (Temporary Regimental Sergeant Major). Foster's total service was reckoned as shown in the tables below.

a. Promotions: Charles William Foster received the following promotions during his time in service:

Date of Promotion or Appointment	Rank or Position
11 October 1905	Enlisted as a Boy Soldier.
27 February 1909	Entered the ranks as a Sapper.
Unknown	Promoted Lance Corporal.
Unknown	Promoted Corporal.
1 May 1920	Promoted Lance Sergeant.
29 May 1921	Promoted Sergeant.
Unknown	Promoted Staff Sergeant.
1 April 1922	Appointed (Paid) Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant.
19 July 1923	Promoted Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant Major).
1929	Appointed Acting Regimental Sergeant Major.

b. Conduct: There is no record of the Good Conduct Badges awarded to Foster during his time in service except for a photograph of him as a Lance Corporal showing him wearing two Good Conduct Badges (see Figure 1). Company Sergeant Major Foster was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in about May of 1924.[24] He enlisted as a Boy Soldier in October of 1905 and did not enter the ranks as a Sapper until February of 1909. The Long Service and Good Conduct medal normally was awarded after 18 years of service. It would appear that Foster's time as a Boy Soldier was counted towards the award of this medal. Had it not been, he would not have received the medal until sometime in 1927, or 18 years after entering the ranks as a Sapper.

The only other mentions of Foster's conduct are found in his Employment Sheet and in his Certificate of Service where his commanding officers indicated that his military conduct had been "Exemplary."

a. Education: Charles William Foster earned the following Certificates of Education during his time in service:

b. Qualifications: Charles William Foster earned the following qualifications during his time in service.

No medical records were included in RSM Foster's service record or personal papers. The only mention of a health-related matter is a note on a Final Medical Certificate prepared by a Doctor S. Barnes of 69, Bow Road, London E.8. The note is dated 8 May 1953 and states that Foster was diagnosed with an "anxiety neurosis" thereby confirming that he was unable to work up to the time of the examination. It appears that this examination was given to provide justification for a claim made by Foster for some type of disability compensation.

Charles William Foster’s father, Charles Cornelius Foster, was born in Southampton, Hampshire on 10 June 1869, although there seems to be some discrepancy regarding his place of birth. Various genealogists on Ancestry.com list this date and place for his birth; however, Charles William Foster indicated to census takers in 1891 and 1901 that he had been born in Ceylon and India, respectively. He served as a Corporal in the Royal Engineers, Regimental Number 4566 until his discharge in 1904 at the age of 35. He married Mary Martha Flaherty on 2 January 1890 in Farnborough when he was only a Lance Corporal. Charles Cornelius Foster died in April 1907 at Elham, Kent.

Figure 7. 54 Arden Street in Gillingham, Kent.
(Photograph courtesy of Google Earth)

Mary Martha Flaherty was born in Ceylon on 30 November 1866. After the death of her husband she lived with her daughter Winifred at 54 Arden Street in Gillingham, Kent. From 1927 to 1931 Mary was residing at the Medway Union Workhouse. This may have been the result of her daughter moving to Hong Kong with her husband, who also was a non-commissioned officer in the Royal Engineers. Winifred died in Hong Kong on 22 May 1929. Mary Martha Foster died in Maidstone, Kent on 16 March 1938.

The date of Foster's marriage is not indicated in his personal papers, however a family tree found on Ancestry.com indicates that he was married on 17 February 1918 in Hammersmith, London. His wife was Gladys Irene Foster (née Gillman). Gladys was born on 5 December 1893 in Epsom, Surrey.[28] There is a strong possibility that Gladys worked as a domestic servant for a Lord and Lady Whitehead[29] before she married Charles. This assumption is based on a 1929 Christmas greeting and cabinet card photograph of Lady Whitehead found among Foster's papers. Since it is unlikely that the Fosters and the Whiteheads traveled in the same social circles in 1929, the most obvious conclusion is that Gladys worked for the Whiteheads prior to her marriage and that Lady Whitehead was kind enough to keep in touch with her former employee.

From the description of Gladys in her passport she was 5 feet 7 inches tall and had grey eyes, brown hair and a dark complexion. The passport description goes on to indicate that she had a "round face, a small mouth, a straight nose and a pointed chin." Her forehead was noted to be "usual" and she had no special peculiarities or distinctive marks. One wonders how an "unusual" forehead would have been described. Additionally, her forehead is almost completely obscured in the passport photograph below, so the comment about her forehead seems to be worthless.

Figure 8. Passport Photograph of Gladys Foster.
(Image from the author’s collection)

Foster was already at Gibraltar when the passport was issued. Mrs. Foster's reason for obtaining the passport was to travel to Gibraltar via France to join her husband. Before they left for Gibraltar, or perhaps while they were at Gibraltar, the Fosters became very friendly with a couple named Blackadar. Among Foster's personal papers is a wedding announcement showing that on 6 April 1921 Alice Rosina Mary Hoare[30] was married to Carl Henry Blackadar at St. Barnabas Church in Epsom, Surrey. Carl Henry Blackadar may have been a man with whom Foster served before or during the Great War. On the other hand, the bride could have been a close friend of Gladys, as the wedding took place in Epsom, Gladys's hometown. Nothing more is known of their relationship other than they appear to have been close friends. A postcard among Foster's papers shows the grave of Mrs. Blackadar indicating that she died on 31 March 1926.

Gladys joined Charles Gibraltar in 1919 and was with him during his service at Chatham and while he was serving with the Surrey Group, Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Companies. An envelope and letters found among Foster's papers are addressed to Mrs. G. Foster at "Locksley", 14, Chestnut Road, Kingston-on-Thames. The letters pertain to Mrs. Foster's sister, Edith Pallant, who had been employed by The Criterion Restaurants Limited in Piccadilly Circus, London, W.1.[31]

Figure 9. 14 Chestnut Road, Kingston-on-Thames.
(Photograph courtesy of Google Earth)

It appears that Edith Pallant suffered an illness that required her to leave her job at a restaurant known as the Brasserie. The letters express their concern to Gladys Foster for the health of her sister and further indicate that Edith can return to her job when she is fully recovered. It is not known whether Edith was married at this time. It would seem unlikely that she was married, otherwise the letters regarding her health would have been sent to her husband rather than her sister. If this assumption is correct, then Gladys Foster's maiden name also should have been Pallant. This assumption, however, does not tally with information on Gladys's 1919 passport, which shows her maiden name as Gillman. It is possible that Edith Pallant was the stepsister of Gladys Gillman.

The 1939 Register of England and Wales shows Gladys Foster (aged 93) and her son Victor G. Foster (aged 28) living at 19 Waterloo Avenue in Leiston-cum-Sizewell, Suffolk in the home of Samuels A. Gillman (aged 78) and Engineering Tool Fitter and Air Raid Precautions warden for his district. Gladys is listed as performing Unpaid Domestic Duties and Victor is listed “At School.”

Figure 10. 19 Waterloo Avenue, Leiston, Suffolk.
(Photograph courtesy of Google Earth)

Further documentation regarding Mrs. Foster found in RSM Foster's personal papers include receipts made out on a weekly basis to Mrs. G.I. Foster between 18 September 1953 and 3 February 1954. The earliest of these receipts read as follows:

Received of Mrs. G.I. Foster the sum of two Pounds no shillings and no pence. Damage for retention of Office Keepers Quarters at Thames Magistrate Court

Postage Revenue stamps in the amount of 2 pence were placed on each receipt. The last three receipts for the period of 20 January to 3 February 1954 are made out to Miss Pallant for Mrs. Foster. These receipts give clear indication that Edith was not married.

Gladys Irene Foster died on 19 September 1981 at 5 Speen Hill Close in Newbury, Berkshire. The probate of her will took place in Oxford on 29 October 1981. Her effects amounted to £43,128 (about $229,000 US in 2022 currency).

The Fosters had a daughter, Valerie Irene May, who was born in September of 1919. All Foster family trees on Ancestry.com indicate that Valerie was born in March of 1922 and that she died in March 1928. This is unlikely since Mrs. Foster's passport,[32] which was issued on 17 October 1919, includes an entry stating that she had a female infant daughter (age 1 month) by the name of Valerie Irene May at the time that the passport was issued. It appears that the searches on Ancestry.com for genealogical purposes have all used the same Civil Registration Birth and Death Indexes pertaining to one Valerie Irene May Foster; however, there appears to have been, by the remotest coincidence, another girl by that name who was born in 1919 and not in 1922, and whose date of death is not shown on Ancestry.com. Information regarding the Valerie Irene May Foster of interest for this study has not been located. It is probable that she married and a search for her would require knowledge of her husband’s name.

The Fosters also had a son by the name of Victor Graham Charles, born in Gillingham, Kent on 4 February 1928. Foster's papers include a receipt from a tutor by the name of J.E. Pierrepont for services rendered regarding Victor Foster's schooling during the period from 21 August to 27 November 1933. There is no other additional information in Foster's private papers regarding his son except for a Traffic Ticket issued to Victor on 6 December 1966 for failure to produce a driver's license or certificate of insurance. A copy of this ticket was included in RSM Foster's personal papers.

The dozens of snapshots that are included in the Foster papers show many people whose identities are not given on the backs of the photographs. There are two children, a boy and a girl, who show up repeatedly in the photographs. They are identified in some of the photos as Valerie (Val) and Victor (Vic). A woman identified as Ede (Edith) can be found in many of the photographs accompanying the Foster children. It appears that Edith remained very close to the Foster family over the years as she is shown at many different periods of her life and in photographs showing Victor and Valerie at different ages.

Figure 11. Valerie and Victor Foster.
(Photograph from the author’s collection)

Oddly, there are very few photographs of Gladys (Glad). There is an excellent cabinet card photograph of Gladys Foster in the collection with the inscription:

This photograph was probably sent to Sergeant Foster while he was in France and indicates that Gladys and Charles knew each other before the Great War. There are a number of snapshots of RSM Foster during different periods of his life. There is a photograph of him some of him as late as 1950 showing him at age 60 relaxing in an easy chair at home. The collection includes photographs taken in China, probably sent to the Foster by a friend or fellow soldier. It also includes many 19^th century cartes de visite of unknown individuals, probably ancestors of both Charles and Gladys.

In addition to the many photographs there is an ample collection of postcards and greeting cards from many places including Gibraltar, Morocco, Malta and various resort areas in England.

Winifred Dora Mable Foster was born in Farnham, Surrey on 2 December 1892. She married Guy Ernest Stephens in Gillingham, Kent on 4 August 1913. Stephens’ father, Edward Earl Stephens, was a Lieutenant (Quartermaster) in the Royal Engineers when Guy was born at New Brompton, Kent on 5 November 1885. Guy Stephens joined the Royal Engineers as a Sapper, Regimental Number 4085, prior to the Great War of 1914-1918. The 1911 Census of England, taken at Brompton Barracks in Gillingham, shows Guy Stephens as a Lance Corporal, age 25, and single. His trade at the time is listed as Carpenter. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal prior to the start of the war and was an Acting Sergeant at the war’s end. Although the unit in which he served is not known, he went to France on 21 August 1915[33] and apparently served there for the duration of the war. For his service during the war he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Figure 13. The 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.[34]
(Photograph from the author’s collection)

When the war ended Stephens was an Acting Sergeant. He remained in the Army and in accordance with new Army Council Instructions he was issued Army Number 185482. He was posted to Hong Kong in the mid 1920s and was accompanied by his wife Winifred and his children: Winifred Dora (1914-1973), Percy Victor (1917-1977) and Edna May (1922-1956). A fourth child, Doreen Mary (1925-2006) was born in Hong Kong. It appears that Guy Stephens left the Army with the rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant. It is not known for certain if Stephens was still in the Army while in Hong Kong or whether he was there in a civilian capacity working for the Public Works Department. The following notice was published in the May 1932 issue of The Sapper (page 290).

STEPHENS.-IN ever loving and treasured memory of Winifred Dora Mabel, the beloved wife of Guy E. Stephens (ex-C.Q.M.S.), P.W.D., Hong Kong, who passed peacefully away on 22,5,29, at Hong Kong.

From this notice it appears that by May 1932 Stephens had already left the Army and was working in a civil capacity in the P.W.D., Hong Kong.

Percy was born on 17 June 1896 in Aldershot, Hampshire. He enlisted in the Royal Engineers to serve in the Great War. 22339 Sapper Percy Victor Foster was posted to the 59^th Field Company, Royal Engineers and he landed in France on 12 June 1915. The 59^th Field Company formed part of the British 5^th Divisional Engineers and it was already in France when Percy went to join it. At the time that Sapper Foster joined the company, it had just seen action at Ypres, having been involved there from 22 April to 25 May 1915. The 59^th Field Company had been at Gravenstafel (22-23 April), St. Julien (24 April - 4 May), Frezenberg (8-13 May) and Bellewaarde (24-25 May). The unit was out of the front line for the remainder of 1915 and did not see action again until the Battle of Delville Wood (15 July – 3 September 1916). During this battle the company deployed sections at Pozieres (23 July – 3 September) and Guillemont (3-6 September). Since the 5^th Division was most heavily engaged during the capture of Guillemont, it is most likely that this was the action in which Foster was killed on 2 September 1916 as shown on his Medal Index Card below.

Figure 16. Sapper Percy Victor Foster, R.E.
(Photograph courtesy of the deedz1 family tree)

Figure 17. Medal Index Card of Sapper Percy Victor Foster, R.E.
(Image courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Foster was buried in the Flatiron Copse British Cemetery, Plot VI, Row A, Grave 9. The cemetery is located on a small plantation a little to the east of Mametz Wood (see Addendum No. 2).

The ground was taken by the 3rd and 7th Divisions on 14 July 1916 and an advanced dressing station was established at the copse. The cemetery was begun later that month and it remained in use until April 1917. Two further burials were made in August 1918 and after the Armistice, more than 1,100 graves were brought in from the neighbouring battlefields and from smaller cemeteries. The 113^th Labour Company was involved with the concentration of graves from these smaller cemeteries, work that involved exhumation and re-burials. Foster was one of these re-burials from another location.[35] He was only 19 years old when he was killed.

After leaving the Army, the Fosters moved into a house at 42, St. Johns Road in South Norwood, London S.E. 25.[36] On 13 March 1935 Foster began negotiations to purchase the house at this address and applied for a loan from The Borough Treasurer, Croydon Corporation. He moved to this house from his former residence known as "Lockley" at 14, Chestnut Road in Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey. It appears that he resided at "Lockley" during most of the time that he spent as the Permanent Staff Instructor with the Surrey Group A.A.S/L Companies.

Correspondence relating to the purchase of the London house indicates that in early 1935 Foster was employed by the Territorial Association of the County of Surrey. In August of 1938 he renewed his ties with the Army when he was employed as the accountant for the 315^th Anti-Aircraft Company, R.E. in Croydon. This unit was part of the 30^th Anti-Aircraft Battalion of the Royal Engineers. It appears that Foster's position with the unit was as a Civil Servant under the Home Office.

His performance of duty while serving as accountant for the 315^th A.A. Company was of the same high caliber as his performance while he was serving in the Regular Army. A letter, dated 27 August 1938, from the Secretary of the Surrey Territorial Army & Air Force Association to the Officer Commanding, 315^th A.A. Company, R.E. had this to say about Foster:

"The Books necessary to keep records in order were well kept, and the Accountant (Mr. Foster) is in my opinion a very capable servant for the Quartermaster's Branch of the Unit. Everything in perfect order and easy for checking."

The above words were extracted from a Report of Inspection of Clothing & Accoutrements, prepared in 1938.

In September of 1939 when war broke out with Germany, Foster attempted to get back into uniform. He first applied for a commission in the Royal Engineers. His application was endorsed by the Officer Commanding 330^th Anti-Aircraft Company, R.E. who wrote the following on 22 September 1939:[37]

Application is forwarded herewith for consideration. I have known C.Q.M.S. Foster for approximately ten years and have a high regard for his capabilities and integrity.

He is a man of considerable experience and well fitted for Lieutenant Quartermaster, particularly in an R.E. or A.A. unit. Both conscientious and hardworking - his application has my full support.

Although there is no correspondence in his papers to verify this, it appears that Foster's application for a commission in the Royal Engineers was not favorably considered. His next step appeared to be an application for a commission as a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps (R.A.S.C.). The following is a copy of his letter of application:

I have the honour to request that you will favourably consider and forward this, my application for appointment as Lieutenant Quartermaster in the Royal Army Service Corps.

I have had nine years continuous experience as C.Q.M.S. and R.Q.M.S., (including two years of Active Service as C.Q.M.S. during the 1914-18 war) with the Regular Army, and I have since had five years experience as a C.Q.M.S. of an Anti-Aircraft Company, wherein I have been solely responsible for the correctness of all stores and accounting.

I held the rank of R.S.M. of the 30^th A.A. Battalion for approximately seven years, and have held Warrant rank in the Regular Army for thirteen years.

Generally, I have thirty years experience in Army Offices and Stores, during which period I have served in the capacities of Clerk, Pay Accountant, Messing Sergt., C.Q.M.S., C.S.M., R.Q,M.S., and R.S.M., and as result have acquired a first hand knowledge of Army Regulations, Store Accounting, Rationing, and General Office Routing. I am in possession of the Army First Class Certificate of Education, my age is 48 years and 11 months, (date of birth 3.12.1890) and I am normally employed as a Civil Servant under the Home Office.

                                                                        (Sg) Charles William Foster
                                                                                                C.Q.M.S.
                                                                                    No. 1851936, R.E.

Despite his long and impressive career, his many qualifications and his desire to serve, there is no indication in his records that this application was favorably considered. Furthermore, a search of Army Lists for the period did not reveal that an officer by the name of C.W. Foster was serving in the Royal Army Service Corps.

On 28 August 1940 Foster was reclassified as a Battery Quartermaster Sergeant, Royal Artillery, in keeping with the switching of responsibilities for Anti-Aircraft Searchlight units from the Royal Engineers to the Royal Artillery. This reclassification came about because by 1940 the searchlight commitment within the Corps of Royal Engineers had become considerable and began to conflict operationally with the role of the Royal Artillery and Royal Air Force. Additionally, the A.A.S/L work distracted the Corps from its true role of military engineering. Just as the Royal Flying Corps, the Tanks, the Royal Corps of Signals and others had in due course gone their own way, so did the anti-aircraft searchlight mission. Pressures from the Royal Artillery to take over the entire anti-aircraft searchlight role in 1940 were not resisted by the Royal Engineers, except by units that did not relish being converted once again to another corps. However, the conversion of 27 Anti-Aircraft Battalions of the Royal Engineers into Searchlight Regiments of the Royal Artillery was completed by early 1941, at which point the enormously important and successful story of the A.A. Searchlights in the Royal Engineers came to an end.[39]

From 1940 to 1944 it appears that Foster continued in his position as a Home Office Civil Servant. On 1 March 1944 he joined the Government Minor & Manipulative Grades Association, Roll No. 49936, Branch No. 141. At that time it appears that he left his South Norwood, London address and began receiving his mail at the Thames Police Court, Stepney, London, E.1.

Foster took a position as a member of the Civil Staff of the Metropolitan London Police in 1944 and worked in that position until early in 1953 when he suffered from an anxiety neurosis that forced him to quit work. In 1951 he applied for an increase in his Army pension, but that was denied as his income from his Civil Servant job was too high. By September of 1952 he was employed as Chief Clerk, Thames Magistrate Court, Aylward Street in Stepney, London, E.1. No record of his life beyond this point was found in his personal papers except for the evaluation of his anxiety neurosis that was made in May of 1953. It is likely that this disorder caused him to retire from his employment as it rendered him incapable of working.

Figure 19. Charles William Foster in His Later Years.
(Photograph from the author’s collection)

Figure 21. Plan View of Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France.
(Image courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

Figure 22. Aerial View of the Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, France.
(Photograph courtesy of WW1 Cemeteries)

Sapper Foster’s grave is located just to the left of the War Stone in Plot VI, Row A.

In addition of this name, rank, regimental number and unit, his gravestone is inscribed with the words:

Guy Ernest Stephens and Winifred Dora Mabel Foster had four children; Winifred Dora Stephens (1914-1973), Percy Victor Stephens (1917-1977), Edna May Stephens (1922-1956) and Doreen May Stephens (1926-2006).

· Winifred Dora Stephens was born in Gillingham, Kent on 16 July 1914. She married Edward Patrick Casey (1911-1961) in Hong Kong on 22 April 1934. She married a second time to Ernest Edward Toovey in Melbourne, Australia in 1967. Winifred died in Melbourne in 1973. Her obituary in the local newspaper, The Age, 8 Mar 1973, p23. read:[41]

"TOOVEY, Winifred Dora 'Wynne' - At Bethlehem Hospital, March 3rd, wife of Ernest E Toovey, beloved wife of Edward Patrick Casey, devoted mother of Tricia, loved mother-in-law of Adrian, beloved Oma of Emma and Julian."

· Percy Victor Stephens was born in Medway, Kent on 21 October 1917. He married Rosetta Maud Rogerman (1919-2002) in East Ham, Essex in December 1945 following the end of World War 2 where he had served as a Staff Sergeant in the Royal Engineers. Percy died in Medway on 28 April 1977.[42]

· Edna May Stephens was born in Gillingham, Kent on 8 November 1922. She married Thomas Lyle Siggers (1921-1983) in Frankston, Victoria, Australia on 15 August 1945. Siggers had served in the Australian Infantry from 1939 to 1948. Edna died in Coburg, Victoria, Australia on 31 May 1956.[43]

· Doreen Mary Stephens was born in Hong Kong on 13 August 1925. She married William Grenwille Scarland (1920-2015), an officer in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve on the Isle of Wight in 1945. During World War 2 Scarland had served aboard HMS Contest, Quilliam and Victory. Doreen died in Perth, Western Australia on 14 July 2006.

a.       The Sapper, July 1924.
b.      The Sapper, May 1932, p. 80.
c.       The Sapper, October 1932.
d.      The Sapper, January 1935.
e.       The Sapper, May 1934.
f.       The Royal Engineers Journal, December 1938.
g.      The Royal Engineers Journal, March 1985.
h.      The Monthly Army List, October 1935.

(1) Letter from The Criterion Restaurants Limited, Piccdilly Circus, London W1 to Mrs. Gladys Foster, dated 30 January 1934; re: Illness of her sister Edith Pallant.

(2) Letter from The Criterion Restaurants Limited, Piccdilly Circus, London W1 to Mrs. Gladys Foster, dated 23 March 1934; re: Illness of her sister Edith Pallant.

(3) Letter from The Criterion Restaurants Limited, Piccdilly Circus, London W1 to Mrs. Gladys Foster, dated 12 April 1934; re: Illness of her sister Edith Pallant.

(4) Letter of Recommendation from Colonel W.H. Rogers, T.A., Commander Surrey Group A.A. Searchlight Companies, R.E. (T.A.) and Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Surrey, dated 145 London Road, Kingston-on-Thames, 20 May 1931.

(5) Letter of Recommendation from Major Henry Hughes, R.E. (T), dated “Hillcrest,” Abbotts Wood, Guildford, 21 May 1931.

(6) Letter of Application for appointment as a Lieutenant (Quartermaster) in the Royal Army Service Corps, dated 16 November 1939.

(7) Letter from Royal Engineers Records to Commander Royal Engineers Surrey Group Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Companies, R.E. (T), dated Chatham, 30 April 1930.

(8) Letter from Secretary, Surrey Territorial Army & Air Force Association to Officer Commanding, 315^th A.A. Company, R.E., Croydon, dated Burwood House, 16 Caxton Street, London, S.W.1, 27 August 1938.

(9) Letter from The Royal Hospital, Chelsea to C.W. Foster, dated 11 January 1951.

(10) Letter from C.W. Foster to The Borough Treasurer, Croydon Corporation, Katharine Street, Croydon, Surrey, dated South Norwood, London, 14 March 1935.

(11) Note from Headquarters 330^th A.A. Company, R.E. forwarding application for appointment as a Lieutenant in the R.A.S.C., dated Saxmundham, Suffolk, 22 September 1939.

(13) Envelope from Inland Revenue to Mr. C.W. Foster, Thames Police Court, Aylward Street, Stepney, London, E.1., postmarked 31 January 1953.

(1)   Employment Sheet, Army Form B 2066.
(2)   Appointment to the Rank of Warrant Officer Class 2, dated 19 July 1923.
(3)   Regular Army Certificate of Service (Army Form B.108).
(4)   Final Assessments of Conduct and Character on Leaving the Colours.
(5)   Service with the Colours Showing Transfers.
(6)   Educational Attainments, Trade Qualifications, Medals, &c.
(7)   Certificate of Discharge.
(8)   Royal Engineers Tracer Cards.

(1)   Passport of Gladys Irene Foster, Passport No. 415047, issued 17 October 1919 and renewed on 2 February 1922.
(2)   Traffic Ticket (Memorandum – Road Traffic Act, 1930), HO/RT/1.
(3)   Final Medical Certificate dated 8 May 1953.
(4)   Notification of Interest from the Co-Operative Permanent Building Society, dated 31 December 1952.
(5)   Civil Service Union Contribution Book, Government Minor & Manipulative Grades Association.
(6)   Receipt from the Widows’ and Children’s Pension Scheme, Superannuation Act, 1949, dated 1 May 1950.
(7)   Wedding Announcement of Alice Rosina Mary Hoare to Carl Henry Blackadar.
(8)   Receipt from Tutor for Victor Foster, dated 21 August 1933.
(9)   Inland Revenue Tax Payment Receipts.
(10) Notice of Change of Address, Class W, Royal Army Reserve and Class W(T) Territorial Army Reserve, dated 28 August 1940.

ENDNOTES

[1] It is interesting to note that although Foster was to eventually serve as an Acting Regimental Sergeant Major for many years, the tunic only bears the rank insignia of a Staff Sergeant.

[2] R.E. Tracer Card.

[3] See Recruitment of Boy Soldiers.

[4] See Certificates of Education.

[5] See Age and Physical Requirements for Soldiers in the British Army and Corps of Royal Engineers.

[6] R.E. Tracer Card.

[7] See Engineer Recruit Training.

[8] R.E. Tracer Card.

[9] The 24^th (Fortress) Company was converted into a Base Park Company in France.

[10] Later, Major General, CB/CBE/DSO/U.S. Legion of Merit (Commander).

[11] Later, Lieutenant Colonel.

[12] Later, Major General, CBE/MC. Deceased: 1969.

[13] Two photographs in the collection of Foster's memorabilia show him as a member of rifle teams that have won trophies in competitions. Unfortunately there are no captions on the photographs to indicate the dates or the nature of the competitions. From the tropical dress of the men in one of the photographs, it appears that one of the competitions took place in Gibraltar.

[14] Thought to be Major H.F.B.S. Moore, later Lieutenant Colonel.

[15] It appears that Major Moore was temporarily absent from the unit at the time that Foster's Commander's Assessment of Performance was due. Major Moore subsequently returned to the unit.

[16] The Monthly Army List, October 1935, p. 353-4c.

[17] His 21 years of service in the ranks would have been up on the 26^th of February 1930. See Continuance With The Regular Army After 21 Years’ Service.

[18] Later, Lieutenant Colonel.

[19] Author of Immortal Sails. A story of a Welsh port and some of its ships.

[20] A studio photograph of Foster taken when he was a Lance Corporal shows him with a pipe in his hand. The bowl of the pipe contains burnt tobacco; hence, it appears that he was smoking it rather than just posing with it.

[21] Foster appears to have continued competition shooting while with the Royal Engineers Training Battalion or with the Surrey Group A.A.S/L Companies. One of the group photographs previously referenced appears to have been taken in the U.K., either while Foster was at Chatham or in Surrey.

[22] A search was made in the London Gazette for a Meritorious Service Medal issued to Charles William Foster, with negative results.

[23] His Certificate of Discharge was issued to him on the 6^th of December 1934.

[24] The Sapper, July 1924. It should be noted that events published in The Sapper generally followed about two months after the occurrence of the event.

[25] Permanent Staff Instructors were officers and senior non-commissioned officers of the Regular Army who were assigned to Volunteer, Territorial Force and later Territorial Army units for the purpose of training the non-Regular Army officers and NCOs.

[26] Information from the Foster family trees by deedz1.

[28] A search made of the 1901 British Census did not uncover any family information regarding Gladys Irene Gillender or any of the possible variations of the spelling of her surname.

[29] Believed to be Sir Rowland Edward Whitehead and his wife Lady Ethel M. Whitehead (nee Rathbone).

[30] The parents of the bride were Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Hoare of 36 Hook Road, Epsom.

[31] A search for Edith Pallant was made in the 1901 British Census. Unfortunately there were too many women by that name born about the same time that Edith would have been born judging from her age in the many photographs in Foster's possessions. Not knowing where Edith was born did not help to narrow the search field.

[32] The original document is in the author’s possession.

[33] Medal Index Card.

[34] These are not Guy Ernest Stephens’s medals.

[35] Burial Return of the 113^th Labour Company, dated 18 July 1919.

[36] The address at this location as of 2022 consists of one-story retail buildings.

[37] It appears that at some time in late 1938 or early 1939 Foster was transferred from the 315^th A.A. Company at Croydon to the 330^th A.A. Company at Saxmundham in Suffolk.

[38] Another inexplicable change occurred here. Foster is now being referred to by the military rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant although there are no documents to indicate that he re-enlisted in the Army. This perhaps was an honorary rank bestowed upon him by the unit based on his prior service and the type of work that he was doing.

[39] Many of the 27 Anti-Aircraft Battalions originally were Territorial Infantry Battalions that had been converted to Royal Engineers. Interestingly, these infantry battalions continued to wear the cap badges of their old infantry regiments and the collar badges of the Royal Engineers. More detailed information about the formation of the Anti-Aircraft searchlight units and the transformation of the infantry battalions can be found in the Royal Engineers Journals of December 1938 and March 1985.

[40] Charles William Foster family tree (patriciafritz38).

[41] Family Tree by Karen Rush.

[42] Family Tree (patriciafritz38)

[43] Ibid.

Height:	5 feet 10 inches.
Complexion:	Fresh.
Eyes:	Blue.
Hair:	Light brown.
Marks or scars:	None.

Location	Period of Service
Home Service	11 October 1905 - 4 January 1910
Malta	5 January 1910 - 8 August 1916
Home Service	9 August 1916 - 31 May 1917
France and Flanders	1 June 1917 - 15 December 1918
Home Service	16 December 1918 -5 June 1919
Gibraltar	6 June 1919 - 20 December 1924
Home Service	21 December 1924 - 2 December 1934

Location	Period of Service
Home Service	15 years and 177 days
Service Abroad	13 years and 241 days
Total Service	29 years and 53 days

Date	Certificate of Education
20 October 1905	Awarded a Third Class Certificate of Education
22 November 1905	Awarded a Second Class Certificate of Education
13 February 1912	Awarded a First Class Certificate of Education, Group I
14 December 1920	Awarded a First Class Certificate of Education

Date	Qualification
27 February 1909	Mustered as a Draughtsman (Mechanical) - "Skilled"
15 December 1922	Draughtsman Group 'A'
1929	Permanent Staff Instructor, Territorial Army[25]


Figure 14. Winifred Dora Mabel Stephens, née Foster (1892-1929) (Photograph courtesy of deedz1)	Figure 15. Guy Ernest Stephens (1885-1954). (Photograph courtesy of deedz1)

2. EARLY LIFE AND FAMILY INFORMATION

Location

Location

Total Service

Date of Promotion or Appointment

Date

Date

ENDNOTES