Photo: Geordie at War Project
Son of Mary Elizabeth Irving (formerly Forster), of 306, Rectory Rd., Saltwell Park, Gateshead, and the late Robert Forster.
The headstone reads:-
In loving memory of
Lieut.
Cyril Forster R.A.F.
dearly beloved son of
M.E. Irving and the late
Robert Forster
killed in aeroplane accident
at Newcastle–on-Tyne
May 8th 1918 Aged 23 years
The above Robert Forster
died May 19th 1906 aged 47 years.
interred St. Andrews Newcastle on Tyne
John Ancrum Forster
their son
joined the First Australian
Expeditionary Force
died Nov. 5th 1914 aged 21 years
Interred near Sydney.
Royal Victoria Infirmary Coroners Report No. 203 11th May 1918.
"Robert Cyril Forster, 23 yrs. 1st Lieut. R.A.F. Cramlington. 806 Rectory Road, Gateshead killed in Elswick Road at 1.00pm 10th May 18.
Deceased was killed by an Aeroplane he was flying having accidently fallen with him to the ground on Elswick Road on Thursday 9th May 1918, in consequence of parts of the machine having broken off apparently due to the machine having dived at a great speed."
Note: CWGC has date of death 9th May and the rank shown as 2nd Lieut.
Mike Forster says:
My grandfather was the younger brother of the two lads. Cyril was the last Officer commissioned into RFC before it became RAF. He took off from Cramlington Airfield, and the plane crashed, parts landing on the Adelaide Picture House in Benwell, other bits hitting a passing tram.
There is no CWGC entry for John Ancrum Forster.
