Photo: Derek Haynes

Derek Haynes has submitted the following:

The birth of Thomas was registered in the June Q 1896 in Lanchester. He was one of eight children born to James and Ellen Foster (nee Hewitson) who were married in the December Q 1883 in the registration district of Weardale in County Durham.

The other children from the marriage were: Elizabeth Jane Foster – born June Q 1884 Durham; Eleanor Foster – born September Q 1887 Chester le Street; Margaret Foster – born March Q 1890 Lanchester (GRO gives surname as Forster); John Foster – born March Q 1892 Lanchester; James Foster – born June Q 1898 Gateshead; Alice Foster – born June Q 1900 Sunderland; Hilda Annie Foster – born December Q 1902 Chester le Street.

Sadly Margaret died, GRO records show a death record for a Margaret Foster aged 3 years in the March Q 1893 registered in Chester le Street. The purchase of a death certificate would verify if this is the same Margaret.

James and Ellen in 1891 were residing in three rooms at Brown House Cottages, Langley, Co. Durham with their three eldest daughters (Elizabeth, Eleanor and Margaret). James was employed as a farm labourer.

By 1901, with Margaret passing away and the two eldest girls not at home, the family consisted of father James, mother Ellen and four children (John, Thomas, James and Alice) living in two rooms in a cottage on a farm at Harton in the parish of South Shields. The occupation given for James was a hind, which is a farm labourer, by the time of this census Thomas was aged 6 years.

At some time prior to the 1911 census the family had moved to Broom House in Witton Gilbert, Langley, Co. Durham. A recent addition to the family was Hilda, born in 1902. James was still employed as a farm labourer, also working alongside their father on the farm were sons John, aged 19 years, and Thomas, aged 18 years, who were both employed as farm labourers.

It is not known when Thomas moved into the Southwick area or when he enlisted, unfortunately the only army records which survive for Thomas are his medal card and a memorial scroll. From this we can see he enlisted at Washington, Co. Durham, and served as a Private in the 8th Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment, with the service number 17126. He spent a short time in France and after being wounded on the 20th October 1915 he returned to England where he was admitted to the Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot. Sadly he died on the 28th October 1915 at the hospital and his body was returned home to Town End Farm, Sunderland.

Thomas was laid to rest on the 2nd November 1915 in Section U Grave no. 10627 of Southwick Cemetery.For his service to his country Thomas was awarded the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the 1915 Star.

Have so far been unable to find death records for the parents of Thomas.

Thomas Foster is remembered in Peter Gibson List

The CWGC entry for Private Foster