Corporal 603849 Hubert Edward Foulkes

• Age: 23
• From: Walton Liverpool
• Regiment: LABOUR CORPS
• Died on Friday 8th November 1918
• Commemorated at: Abbeville C C Ext
  Panel Ref: V.B.32

Hubert Edward was born in Walton, Liverpool on 16th June 1895, the son of Frank Washington Foulkes and his wfe Charlotte Emma (nee Findlin). He was baptised on 27th November 1895 at Holy Trinity Church, Anfield. The baptismal records show the family address at the time to be 35 St Andrew's Road, Liverpool. His father's occupation is shown as a Book keeper.

He entered education at St Margaret's C.of E. school in Aigburth on 04th November 1901. 

The 1911 Census shows the family are living at 10 Allen Street, Everton. His father, Frank, is shown as a railway clerk born in Liverpool in 1860., whilst his mother, Charlotte, was born in 1866 also in Liverpool. Hubert is recorded on the Census as HERBERT E. he is 15 years of age and is a junior clerk. His siblings are listed as; May Chell b.1891, her twin sister Lily E. Chell b.1891, Noel L. b.1901 and Grace b.1904. Also present is Ann Fidllin Foulkes described as Grandmother b.1831.

His father died in the second quarter of 1913. His death was reported in the Daily Post on 04th June 1913.  

Prior to enlistment he was employed as a clerk with John Edward Hart & Co. Belmont Road, Liverpool.
 
Hubert enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool joining the 17th Battalion as Private 15712. 

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

At some point, most likely after being wounded, Hubert transferred to the Labour Corps and was serving as Corporal 603849 when he died on 08th November 1918 just three days before the Armistice. He was 23 years of age. 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 14th November 1918:

FOULKES - On or about November 9 of Pneumonia in France, aged 23 years Hubert E. (late 1st Pals) beloved eldest son of Charlotte and the late Frank W. Foulkes 51 Windsor -road, Tuebrook, Liverpool.     

He now rests at Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT"

For much of the First World War, Abbeville was headquarters of the Commonwealth lines of communication and No.3 BRCS, No.5 and No.2 Stationary Hospitals were stationed there variously from October 1914 to January 1920. The communal cemetery was used for burials from November 1914 to September 1916, the earliest being made among the French military graves. The extension was begun in September 1916.  Abbeville Communal Cemetery contains 774 Commonwealth burials of First World War and 30 from the Second. The Extension contains 1,754 First World War burials and 348 from the Second. The Commonwealth sections of both cemetery and extension were designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

Hubert is commemorated at St John the Baptist Church, Tuebrook as Herbert Edward. 

His mother's address at the time of registering with CWGC was 51 Windsor Road, Tuebrook.

We currently have no further information on Hubert Edward Foulkes. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.