World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He was born in Streatham, London, and enlisted on 27th July 1915. He won his Victoria Cross at Villiers Plouisch, France, on 24th April 1917 and was presented with it by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 21st July 1917. He volunteered for the 13th Service Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment, which composed almost entirely of local men. After training in Southern England, the 13th East Surreys arrived in France on 3rd June 1916, and went into the trenches opposite Lens, north of Albert. Later, the battalion moved to the Somme Valley and was in the front line near Bouchavesnes, when the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line commenced in the Spring of 1917. It was in April, during the capture of Villers Plouich, in front of the Hindenburg Line, that he won his Victoria Cross. His Citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and initiative. During an attack the advance was held up in a portion of a village by two enemy machine guns which were entrenched and strongly covered by wire entanglements. Corporal Foster, who was in charge of two Lewis guns, succeeded in entering the trench and engaging the enemy guns. One of the Lewis guns was lost, but Corporal Foster with reckless courage, rushed forward and bombed the enemy, thereby recovering the gun. Then getting his two guns into action, he killed the enemy gun team and captured their guns, thereby enabling the advance to continue successfully." He was discharged from the Army on 24th October 1918. He was employed as a dustman by Wandsworth Council and in recognition of his gallant record the Council promoted him to Dusting Inspector in which capacity.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He was born in Streatham, London, and enlisted on 27th July 1915. He won his Victoria Cross at Villiers Plouisch, France, on 24th April 1917 and was presented with it by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 21st July 1917. He volunteered for the 13th Service Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment, which composed almost entirely of local men. After training in Southern England, the 13th East Surreys arrived in France on 3rd June 1916, and went into the trenches opposite Lens, north of Albert. Later, the battalion moved to the Somme Valley and was in the front line near Bouchavesnes, when the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line commenced in the Spring of 1917. It was in April, during the capture of Villers Plouich, in front of the Hindenburg Line, that he won his Victoria Cross. His Citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and initiative. During an attack the advance was held up in a portion of a village by two enemy machine guns which were entrenched and strongly covered by wire entanglements. Corporal Foster, who was in charge of two Lewis guns, succeeded in entering the trench and engaging the enemy guns. One of the Lewis guns was lost, but Corporal Foster with reckless courage, rushed forward and bombed the enemy, thereby recovering the gun. Then getting his two guns into action, he killed the enemy gun team and captured their guns, thereby enabling the advance to continue successfully." He was discharged from the Army on 24th October 1918. He was employed as a dustman by Wandsworth Council and in recognition of his gallant record the Council promoted him to Dusting Inspector in which capacity.
Bio by: julia&keld
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