Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Pte 116354 William Henry Foster

Age: 19
From: Liverpool
Regiment: MGC 72nd Coy
Died on Tuesday 20th November 1917
Commemorated at: Hargicourt Bc
Panel Ref: I.G.10

Some uncertainty surrounds this soldier’s military history. The only records linking him with the Pals is SDGW which shows ‘formerly 32615 K.L.R’, but no records with that number can be found for the name Foster, and a newspaper report of his death saying he enlisted in the Liverpool Pals as a drummer. The medal roll shows only M.G.C., no other regiment.

The War diary for 72 Company MGC does not record in any detail the fact that 17, 72, 73 & 191 Companies MGC (all in the 24th Division) moved from the Ypres salient on 15/9/1917, going by motor bus to Berquin, to billets near Le Verrier. On 21/9/1917 they all entrained and departed from Bailleuil, arriving in the Somme sector, marching to Barastre (east of Bapaume). Reccys were made to the lines near HARGICOURT. On 26/9 they were near Templeux-le-Guerard, with HQs at HARGICOURT.

William Henry Foster was born in Liverpool on 03rd June 1898, the son of Henry Scott Foster and Catherine Elizabeth (née Tracy or Tracey). Henry, from Glasgow, and Catherine, born in Liverpool, married in St. Nicholas' Church, Liverpool, in 1895 and had five children. Henry was a 23 year labourer of 3 Booth Street, father Robert deceased, whilst Catherine was aged 21 of 6 Fazakerley Street, father John deceased. William had an older half brother Ernest Freeman Tracy/Foster, born in 1893/4, sister Emily Beatrice, born in 1895, but who sadly died at age 1, and younger sisters Lilian Isabel 1901, and Elsie May 1905. William was baptised in St. Ambrose, Everton, on 10th July, his parents’ residence 135 Buckingham Street, and his father’s occupation labourer.

In 1901 the family are living at 113 Rose Vale, Everton. His father is aged 29, a general labourer, his mother is aged 27, Ernest is 7, William is 2. Also in the household are his mother’s sisters Ada 19, and Harriet 14.

The 1911 census finds them living at 167a Rose Vale. His father is 39, a labourer in a sugar refinery, his mother is 37. They advised that they had been married for 17 years, and have had 5 children, 4 of whom have survived. All four surviving children are declared in the household; Ernest is aged 17, a cooper’s apprentice, William, is aged 12, Lilian, is aged 9, and Elsie, is aged 6, are at school. Also his aunt Ada Tracy, 29. William later worked for a sugar refiner, like his father.

Based on the amount of the War Gratuity, William enlisted in about April 1916, when he was only 17 years old. A later newspaper notice states that he joined a Pals battalion of the King’s Liverpool Regiment as a drummer. It is not known when he was transferred to the 72nd Machine Gun Company with regimental number 116354.

The company war diary shows them in action in the Ypres Salient in November 1917. However, the War diary for 72 Company MGC does not record in any detail the fact that 17, 72, 73 & 191 Companies MGC (all in the 24th Division) moved from the Ypres salient on 15/9/1917, going by motor bus to Berquin, to billets near Le Verrier. On 21/9/1917 they all entrained and departed from Bailleuil, arriving in the Somme sector, marching to Barastre (east of Bapaume). Reccys were made to the lines near HARGICOURT. On 26/9 they were near Templeux-le-Guerard, with HQs at HARGICOURT.

The entry for his date of death records:

“20th Nov. Successful raid carried out by portion of Bn. during which 72nd Coy fired 37,000 rounds. Casualties 1 OR killed, 2 wounded by shell fire.”

CWGC shows that William was killed in action on 20th November 1917. He was 19 years old. He now rests in Hargicourt British Cemetery, Aisne, where his gravestone inscription reads;

“THE BLOOD OF HEROES NEVER DIES”

Hargicourt was occupied by British troops in April 1917, lost on the 21st March 1918, and recaptured by Australian troops on the 18th September 1918.

Hargicourt British Cemetery was begun in May 1917, and used by fighting units until March 1918; some further burials were made in September and October 1918, and three British graves were brought in after the Armistice from HARGICOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION. It was largely used by the 34th Division, under the name of Hargicourt Quarry Cemetery (derived from the quarry across the railway line).

There are now over 300, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this cemetery. Of these, over 30 are unidentified and a special memorial is erected to a United Kingdom soldier known to be buried among them.

The British Cemetery covers an area of 2,151 square metres and is enclosed by a flint and stone wall.

“THE BLOOD OF HEROES NEVER DIES”

His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on 17th December 1917:

“News has been received of the death of Private William Foster, machine gunner, who was killed in action on November 20. He joined the colours when 17 years of age as a drummer in the Liverpool Pals. He resided at 167a Rose Vale, Everton, and was formerly employed by Messrs. Farrie and Co. Ltd., sugar refiners.”

His mother, Mrs. Catherine Foster, at 167a Rose Vale, Everton, received a pension of 10/- a week. His father Henry received his effects, Army Pay of £5 10s and a War Gratuity of £8-10s.

William was remembered by his family in the Liverpool Evening Express on 20th November 1919:

FOSTER - In loving memory of Private William Henry Foster M.G.C. (our boy) who joined in his 17th year (October, 1915), killed in action, Nov. 20, 1917, the dearly loved youngest son of Henry and Kate Foster. (Still loved, still missed by mother, father, and family, 167a Rose Vale, Everton.)

He is not dead but only lying sleeping

In this sweet refuge of his Father's breast;

Far away from sorrow, toil and weeping,

He is not dead but only taking rest.

Pass not his memory but with pride,

And let us live as nobly as he died.

Sadly missed by Aunt Harriet and cousin Willie, 4 Amos Street, Everton.

FOSTER - In loving memory of Private W. H. Foster, who fell in action, Nov. 20, 1917. (Never forgotten by his loving brother Ernie and sister-in-law Alice, also little Ern and all at 54 Wilbraham Street, Liverpool.)

Today recalls sad memories

Of a loved one gone to rest.

And those who think of Bill today

Are those who loved him best.

In 1939 his parents are living at 7 St. George Street, next door to married daughter Elsie. His father is retired. They still have Ada Tracy living with them, who is physically incapacitated. They both lived through the Second World War. His father died in 1946 aged 74, and his mother in 1953, at the age of 80.

William is commemorated on Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 64

We currently have no further information on William Henry Foster, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

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