In Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium is the Commonwealth War Grave of 447883 Private Ralph Foster serving with the 50th Battalion Canadian Infantry who died 15/02/1917.

Ralph was born on 29th January 1891 and ten years later was living with his parents gardener Gawen and Elizabeth Ann (nee Richardson) at Hall Style Bank, and his siblings Gawen, Elizabeth, Sarah, Isabella and Elsie.  September 1906 saw the family emigrate to Canada on board the SS Empress of Britain heading west where they made their home in Calgary, Alberta.  Ralph found work as a teamster for B.C. Thomas Coal and Wood Company and later for the Nickel Brothers.

Ralph enlisted with his brother in the 50th (Alberta) Battalion in February 1915 with the service number 434853, but nine months later he transferred to the 56th (Calgary) Battalion and was given the number 447883.  He sailed to Liverpool with the 56th in April 1916 aboard the SS Baltic and a posting to Bramshott, Hampshire where he was transferred back to the 50th Battalion, meaning he and his brother Gawen arrived in France together on the SS Marguerite on 11th August as part of 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division.

In September Ralph was attached to the 250th Tunnelling Company, and two weeks later all the Canadians were transferred to the 1st Canadian Tunnelling Company based at La Clytte, where he was assigned to Right Half Section.

On 15th February 1917 Ralph Foster was found dead in his bunk having died in his sleep from trench fever.

His brother Gawen survived World War 1.

Ralph Foster has no known local memorial.

In Canada he is remembered on their Virtual War Memorial.