Category: Military
Rank: Gunner Instructor
Regiment or Ship: Royal Tank Corps
Service Number(s): 97018
Date of Birth: 20.10.1898
Place of Birth: Bexhill on Sea, Sussex.
Date of Death: 1989
Place of Death: Hastings and Rother district
Address: 55 Windsor Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: Henry Benjamin Foster, b. 1867 in Hastings, d. 1914, and Emily Charlotte Foster (nee Feist), b. 1864 in Hastings, d. 1941.
Siblings:
Basil Henry Foster, b. 1894 in Hastings, d. 1975. W0261 FOSTER Basil Henry
Doris Foster, b. 1906 in Bexhill.
In 1901 the family lived at 28 Windsor Road but, by 1911, had moved to 55 Windsor Road. Henry was employed as an upholsterer.
Spouse: Cecil married Ivy Violet Medley (1902-1993) in 1930 in Hastings. No children have been found.
First World War Experience
As with a lot of WW1 soldiers, Cecil’s service records have not survived. Therefore, we know very little of his war service but we do know, from the local Bexhill Observer, that he was wounded.
By November 1917 it was reported that he was a serving soldier – but we have no idea when he enlisted. A report, in the above newspaper, dated 24th August 1918 records the following:-
“A member of the Tank Corps, Gunner-Instructor Cecil Foster, youngest son of Mrs Foster, of 55 Windsor-road, is suffering from somewhat severe grenade wounds in the mouth and leg, but is progressing satisfactorily in hospital in France.
His tank went to the assistance of some infantry, and had a lively time. An officer was killed and the members of the crew were wounded.
Gunner-Instructor Foster is 19 years of age.”
Apart from the above report the only other information we know is that Cecil was awarded both the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.