Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph Foster was born 1895 at Wardley, near Gateshead, County Durham, the son of widower Thomas Foster born 1853 also native of Wardley, the youngest of 5 known children, 2 sons and 3 daughters. Thomas remarried at Gateshead in 1910 to widow Frances Taylor who had 4 children of her own 2 sons and 2 daughters. In 1911 they were living at 7, Third Street, Wardley Colliery where Thomas was employed as a colliery engine-man, only Joseph (15) and his full sister Florence (17) were still living at home, Joseph was also employed at the colliery as a labourer.
Joseph Foster enlisted at Gateshead, July 15th 1915 assigned as Private 4992 to the Durham Light Infantry, he was embodied that same day into the 3rd/9th Battalion, formed after the departure of the 1st/9th for the Western Front replacing the 2nd/9th, consisting of men unfit for overseas service whose purpose was to train officers and men for service overseas. Training completed he was transferred to the 1st/9th Battalion, February 2nd 1916 joining his regiment in the field as part of the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division, March 12th 1916. Serving in the trenches on the Ypres salient and Armentieres until August 1916, the battalion was then moved south to join the fighting on the Somme. In September and October 1916, the 1st/9th D.L.I. attacked towards the Starfish Line, north of High Wood, and the Flers Line at Eaucort l’Abbaye, finally attacking the Butte de Warlencourt on November. 5th 1916. The Butte was captured by the 1st/9th Battalion but they were unable to hold it and fell back. This battle cost the battalion 300 men killed or wounded.
Private Foster was reported missing at the end of conflict November 5th and later declared as killed in action. It was not until March 4th 1917 that it was discovered his body had been buried on the battlefield by the 6th Australian Infantry Brigade. After Armistice during the clearing of the battlefields his father received a letter March 30th 1921 informing him that, “it has been necessary to exhume the body of the late Private Foster, 1/9th Bn. Durham Light Infantry, for proper burial at Warlencourt New British Cemetery, SW of Bapaume,” that the grave was marked with a cross and, “the removal was undertaken with every measure of care and reverence, and the re-interment conducted by an Army Chaplain.”
The body of Private 4992 Joseph Foster Durham Light Infantry was brought into Warlencourt New British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, by the 723rd Labour Corp where he is at rest, grave I. J. 27, in time the cross was replaced by a military headstone. The CWGC have adopted the date of November 5th 1916 as the official date of his demise, at the time he was 20 years old and single.
His father received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 7, Third Street, Wardley Colliery, Pelaw-on-Tyne, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Joseph Foster is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
