Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Bell Foster was born at Croxdale, County Durham in 1881, the third son and one of 8 children, 4 sons and 4 daughters born to William Foster and Catherine Cowans. William was born 1851 at Cramlington, Catherine in 1852 at Horsley, both in the county of Northumberland. Whilst they were living at Foster’s Buildings, Sunderland Bridge, his father had his own building business employing 20 men and 3 youths, 10 years later he had branched out, as a builder and brick manufacturer. They had moved to Croxdale House at Heworth by 1901, William continued running his building firm, son John (24) was employed by him as a builder, Joshua (22) a bricklayer whilst Robert (20) was a clerk and George (16) was an apprentice engineer. Little had change by 1911, Robert now 30 was an insurance inspector, his brother George (26) had qualified as a marine engineer, sister Mary Ann had become a school teacher and Evelyn (19) was a typist. Catherine Foster nee Cowans died at Gateshead in 1912 aged 61 years.
On the outbreak of war Robert was 33 years old and one of the first to enlist, September 1914, at Newcastle-upon Tyne, assigned as Private 534 to “C’ Coy 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. They began training near home then moved in May 1915 to Shropshire at Prees Heath. The camp was later too wet for training and the Division moved to Wensley and Richmond in Yorkshire, using the firing ranges at Strenshall. In August 1915 they moved for final training and firing practice at Codford on Salisbury Plain proceeding to France, November 22nd 1915 attached to the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division, landing at Boulogne. In 1916 they were in action at the Battles of the Somme, July 1st during the Battle of Albert.
Private 16/534 Robert Bell Foster Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action July 1st 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 and have no known grave.
His father received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, also after probate as his executor the sum of £785 pounds 2 shillings 9 pence, January 12th 1917. William Foster died aged 79 years at Gateshead in 1930.
Register of Soldiers Effects in error lists Robert Bell Foster’s father as Robert Bell, all other documents confirm his first name as William.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop's Local Advertiser 22/09/1916 reports:
"Private Robert Bell Foster, N.F., killed in action on July 1st. Son of William and the late Catherine Foster, of Croxdale House, Pelaw."
Robert Bell Foster is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and as a Rugby player on Durham D47.091 at Felling on F32.16 and at Gateshead on G39.129
