220017 Pte. George William Foster British Army 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry from:12 Brighton Road Darlington (d.9th Aug 1915) George William Foster was born in Shildon, Co. Durham in 1894, the second of 10 children. His mother Elizabeth had died just before the 1911 census returns were filled, leaving his father Thomas with 7 children at home. George was the eldest by this time, having lost his eldest sister some years before. Aged 16, he worked for the North Eastern Railway Co as an engine cleaner at Bank Top Station in Darlington.
In 1912, George joined the DLI TA. His father remarried and his second wife produced two further siblings for George and the others.
George went to war at the outset with 2 Durham Light Infantry and lasted a year before, along with too many other unfortunates, being killed in action at Hooges on 9th August 1915 aged 21. He never had the chance to have his own family, but is remembered by me, his great-niece. I would love to see a photograph of him, but do not know of the existence of any.
His brother John followed him to France just two-three months later. He was not quite 17. He was to be more fortunate than his brother.
|