Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Charles William Forster was born at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, in 1885, son of Charles Forster, brother of William born 1883 and sister Jane born 1895. He was married at Gateshead in 1912 to Elizabeth Ann Escott born at Penshaw, County Durham in 1888 and with whom he had an only son Edmund born September 16th 1913.
They were living at 5, Reginald Street, Felling in 1914 when he left his employment as a miner in order to enlist at Felling, August 31st. He declared he had previously served as Private 748 with the 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, having been discharged at the end of a 4 year engagement in 1909 where he served in the Africa campaign.
He was assigned to the colours as Private 18914 10th (Service) Battalion. at Woking in Surrey. Living in tents without uniforms or rifles they began to train for war with experienced senior officers. February 1915 they moved to Aldershot where they were issued with khaki uniforms and rifles. May 20th 1915 he departed as part of the 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division bound for France disembarking the following day.
Three weeks later the battalion was in the front line trenches south of Ypres in Belgium where it suffered heavy losses, amongst them was Private 18914 Charles William Forster Durham Light Infantry. He received a gunshot wound to his right knee, June 14th 1915, in the Hazelbroek sector. Transported to the village of Bailleul, a railhead, air depot and hospital centre of the Canadian and Australian Casualty Clearing Stations, he died two days later, June 16th 1915.
His widow received a letter from the Army Infantry Section, 3rd Echelon dated June 22nd which reads, "Herewith please find A F b 103 for No. 18914 Private C Forster 10th Durham Light Infantry who has died from wounds received in action. He is buried in the cemetery at Bailleul and a wooden cross bearing full particulars has been erected on his grave. The Rev A.F.G. Fletcher officiated at his burial”. Private Forster is at rest grave 1. E. III. He was 30 years old.
Elizabeth Ann received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their son of 15 shillings a week as of December 14th 1915 along with his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 7, Cross Row, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham.
Details of demise of Elizabeth Ann unknown, their son Edmund Forster died at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1992 aged 78 years
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 16/07/1915
"Pte. Charles Forster, 10th Battalion, D.L.I. of 5 Reginald Street, Felling Gate, on June 14th, of wounds received in France, aged 28 years. Husband of Elizabeth Forster."
