Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Matthew Forster, one of 3 children, of whom only 2 survived, was the youngest of 2 brothers and had a younger sister. His father Thomas Forster was born at Cramlington, September 24th 1871, his mother Elizabeth Rutter, January 11th 1873 at Horton, both in Northumberland, the 1911 census states they were married in 1896. Their son Robert Joyce Forster was born in 1896 at Horton, as was Matthew during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1898. Living at 5 Charlton Buildings in the village of Shankhouse, near Cramlington, Northumberland in 1901, Thomas was employed as a coal miner/hewer. They had moved to Westerhope by 1903 where Gladys was born, December 11th and were living in 3 rooms in 1911 at 22, Beaumont Terrace. Thomas continued to work as a miner, Robert (15) was employed as a market gardner, Matthew (13) attended school, Gladys (7) remained at home with her mother. Tragically Robert Joyce Forster died in 1913, aged 17 years.
Matthew was 16 years of age when war was declared with Germany, still too young to enlist or serve overseas, he did so at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in circa 1916 once he turned 18 years of age. Assigned as Private 2037 he was posted to the 1st/5th Battalion Cameroonian (Scottish Rifles) of the Territorial Force. Fully trained, when he became eligible for service overseas at the age of 19 in either January or February 1917, with a change of service number, 202775, he departed, joining his regiment in the field, which had been the first Territorial Force units selected to join the Regular Army of the British Expeditionary Force in France, where it had been in action since, November 5th 1914.
Private 202775 Matthew Forster Cameronians after a matter of weeks of his arriving at the front died of pneumonia, March 17th 1917, whilst his regiment was in the Amiens sector and interred at La Neuville Communal Cemetery, Somme, France, grave B 91. He was 19 years of age and single.
His father Thomas received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to him at 22, Beaumont Terrace, Westerhope. He also commissioned at a cost of 14 shillings 2 pence an additional inscription to be added to his son’s military headstone, it reads, “Ever Remembered By His Loving Father And Mother And Sister.”
In 1939, retired deputy overman, Thomas Forster and his wife were living at 17, Windsor Crescent, Newburn, Northumberland, a property they shared with daughter Gladys, her husband Albert Victor Robson, born at Picktree, Chester-le-Street, July 26th 1901, whom she had married in 1924, and daughter Myra, born September 3rd 1928. Albert's brother Private John Edward Robson, Army Service Corps had died at home as a consequence of his service during WW1.
Albert Victor Robson was lost at sea during WW2, April 18th 1945, whilst serving as First Radio Office aboard the S.S. Empire Gold. His widow Gladys Robson nee Forster of 10, Birkshaw Walk, West Denton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, died, August 11th 1991.
Their daughter Myra married George W. Armstrong at Northumberland South, October 1948.
Details as regards the demise of Thomas Forster and Elizabeth Forster nee Rutter, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Matthew Forster is remembered at Westerhope on W77.01 and at Whorlton on W53.01
