Category: Military
Rank: Private
Regiment or Ship: 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment
Service Number(s): F2842
Occupation: Cabinet Maker
Date of Birth: 05.02.1894
Place of Birth: Hastings, Sussex
Date of Death: 1975
Place of Death: Hastings District
Address: 55 Windsor Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
Click on any image to see a larger version
Family Information
Parents: Henry Benjamin Foster, b. 1867 in Hastings, d. 1914, and Emily Charlotte Foster (nee Feist), b. 1864 in Hastings, d. 1941.
Siblings:
Cecil Edward Foster, b.1898 in Bexhill, d. 1989. W0262 FOSTER Cecil Edward
Doris Foster, b. 1906 in Bexhill.
In 1901 the family lived at 28 Windsor Road but, by 1911, had moved to 55 Windsor Road. Henry was employed as an upholsterer.
Spouse: In 1918 Basil married Florence Lily Townsend, (1894-1968). No children have been found of the union.
First World War Experience
Unfortunately, Basil’s service records did not survive the bombings of WW2 so we do not know a great deal of his war. A photograph appeared in the Bexhill Observer of 10th February 1917 which stated that he was a Private in the Middlesex Regiment and was then serving in France.
From the Medal Rolls Index we find that he was part of the 4th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. He served from 29th February 1916 until 4th July 1917 when he was discharged “sick” with a rating of A.R. Class P. He was awarded both the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.