The Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalions

Arthur H. Foster.

Arthur H. Foster Arthur was the Son of Thomas and Tibiah Foster, Piper's Lane, Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire. He is stated as being the husband of Eliza Foster, of 2, Bridge Place, Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire. Arthur served in the HCB as a bandsman and the photo shows his band membership badge on his arm. His duties as a bandsman would include training as a 'stretcher bearer' and he would also have been trained in basic battlefield first aid. It may be as a result of his age of 44 that he was accepted into the unit and posted as a bandsman. Several photos of the band are known to exist to see these follow this link to the band section of this site.
On searching his military record it is noted that he was killed in action on Friday the 15th September 1916 whilst serving as private 18485 in the 8th Bedfordshire Regimen [War Diary]. His name is one of those to the missing on the Thiepval Memorial in France on Pier and Face 2 C together with other men who served in the Beds Regt..

Family tradition indicates that he enlisted at the age of 44 and he is listed as being killed as detailed above - also at the age of 44 years. He is also listed on the Godmanchester War Memorial - Godmanchester Church Memorial.

From a local newspaper dated 13th October 1916 - 'Godmanchester Casualties' - 'Pte. A. H. Foster, Beds. is officially reported missing since September 15th last'.

His brother Robert Glover Foster also served in the HCB - he too was killed and is remembered on the Godmanchester War Memorial.

It is not known if the other three Foster names on the Godmanchester Memorial were part of this extended family.

Ernest Henry Foster Private 7278, 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment.

James Foster Private, 1st Class (409560) RAF.

William Stanley Foster Private G28087, 3rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.

Many thanks to Steve White for the data supplied on his great grandfather Arthur Foster.

If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com

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09/04/2012
. . Martyn Smith ©

	Arthur H. Foster Arthur was the Son of Thomas and Tibiah Foster, Piper's Lane, Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire. He is stated as being the husband of Eliza Foster, of 2, Bridge Place, Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire. Arthur served in the HCB as a bandsman and the photo shows his band membership badge on his arm. His duties as a bandsman would include training as a 'stretcher bearer' and he would also have been trained in basic battlefield first aid. It may be as a result of his age of 44 that he was accepted into the unit and posted as a bandsman. Several photos of the band are known to exist to see these follow this link to the band section of this site. On searching his military record it is noted that he was killed in action on Friday the 15th September 1916 whilst serving as private 18485 in the 8th Bedfordshire Regimen [War Diary]. His name is one of those to the missing on the Thiepval Memorial in France on Pier and Face 2 C together with other men who served in the Beds Regt.. Family tradition indicates that he enlisted at the age of 44 and he is listed as being killed as detailed above - also at the age of 44 years. He is also listed on the Godmanchester War Memorial - Godmanchester Church Memorial. From a local newspaper dated 13th October 1916 - 'Godmanchester Casualties' - 'Pte. A. H. Foster, Beds. is officially reported missing since September 15th last'. His brother Robert Glover Foster also served in the HCB - he too was killed and is remembered on the Godmanchester War Memorial.
It is not known if the other three Foster names on the Godmanchester Memorial were part of this extended family. Ernest Henry Foster Private 7278, 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. James Foster Private, 1st Class (409560) RAF. William Stanley Foster Private G28087, 3rd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Many thanks to Steve White for the data supplied on his great grandfather Arthur Foster.
If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com
	Return to Soldiers Section.		Return to Main Menu.
09/04/2012	.	.	*Martyn Smith* ©