Rev. David Youngson has submitted the following:
Lieutenant James Henry FORSTER
Corps of Royal Engineers (Territorial)
2/1st Northumbrian Field Company
He was the son of Alfred L. Forster of 16 Eslington Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle on Tyne. He was Initiated into 2666 Victoria Commemoration (Reserve Forces) Lodge, Masonic Hall, Grainger Street, Newcastle on Tyne on the 18th February 1915 and was Passed on the 18th March 1915. He was killed in action on the 29th September 1915 aged 30 and is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, Grave Reference I.H.20.
Editor’s Note:
Grand Lodge records indicate that he was a Joining Member from Blagdon Lodge No 659, Blyth on the 18th February 1915 but there is no trace of him in that Lodge.
The Lodge Minutes record that Brother T.V.G. Elliot was present at the passing of Brother J.H. Forster on the 18th March 1915. This was the last meeting attended by them. The Lodge Minutes of the 19th October 1915 record “The Secretary was instructed to write letters of condolence to the relatives of Brothers Lieutenants T.V.G. Elliot and J H Forster, killed in action.”
James Henry Forster is remembered in Newcastle on NUT152, in Wylam on W73.01 and W73.02, in Horsley on H70.01 and in Barnard Castle on B135.04
