William Foster

Sergeant

Royal Flying Corps 44389 38 Squadron
Royal Air Force 44389  

Lea Mills postcard

William Foster in WW1

Notes
William Foster was born 6 November 1876, worked in the joiners’ shop at Lea Mills and he enlisted into the RFC on 16th August 1916. He was thirty-nine when he joined and was back in the Mill by August 1919.
Second Airman W. Foster 44389, A Flight, 38 M.D. Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, Aerodrome, Leadenham, Lincolnshire.
On October 11th 1916, he wrote the following in an extract from a letter published by the Vicar, ‘We are preparing to bring down the Zepps. I am a member of the Church Institute where I can have my game of Billiards. It is the National Mission Service on Sunday here. I have never in my life heard such language as I have to listen to every day.’
He received groceries from the company in December 1916, January and September 1918. his letters were always very formal in their address to J.B. Marsden-Smedley. In January, 1918, he wrote, ‘I hope Sir that Master Basil is by now well on the way to a lasting recovery, and that the next time I am able to see him, he will be himself again. Hoping Mrs. Marsden-Smedley, yourself and the Family are in the best of health. I may say sir I do not regret the step I took 18 months ago, it has been a great business to me, and I keep climbing the promotion ladder’.
He had, indeed, ‘climbed the promotion ladder’ as by then he could sign himself 44389 Sergeant  Foster Wm.
In his September letter, he reiterated his hopes for the return to health of Master Basil.

William Foster married Minnie Saunders, daughter of Diocleson and Ann Saunders 26 September 1903. The Saunders were a well-known Brackenfield family.
William was lodging with the Swift family in 1901 and Charles Swift (also a Lea Mills' serviceman) married Lillie Saunders (Minnie's sister) also in 1903.

In the spring of 1915 his wife Minnie and daughter Winifred became seriously ill with diptheria. Winifred died on 10 March aged ten.

Medal Roll Index Cards
Unknown

Royal Airforce Muster Roll
44389 Foster W, Rigger (RFC), Rigger (Aero) (RAF), Corporal (RFC), Cpl Mech (RAF), 16/8/16 (joined); 1/11/17 (promoted), 5s0d (pay) DW (Duration of the War)

Newspaper report

Derbyshire Courier 5 July 1919
A meeting of the local members of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors was held at Holloway on Tuesday. Mr Drake, of Crich, presiding. It was decided that a sub-branch be opened for the Lea and Holloway district. and the following officers were elected: Chairman Mr W Foster, secretary, Mr J. Parr; committee. Messrs A Dockerill, J Conquest, J Haslam, H Clarkson, B Thorpe, J Wragg, J Hudson, W Spencer and C Swift.

Letters to JB Marsden-Smedley

R.F.C. Aerodrome, Leadenham, Lincs
24/1/18
To Messrs. JB and AS Marsden Smedley
Sir's
Allow me to thank you, for the parcel of good things I received from you on the 22/1/18.  I can assure you such treats as we derive from such kindnesses are rarely forgotten, and if it has given you gentlemen the same pleasure to send, as it has given me to receive you will be amply repaid.
To Mr. JB Marsden-Smedley.  I hope Sir that Master Basil is by now well on the way to a lasting recovery, and that the next time I am able to see him, he will be himself again.  Hoping Mrs. Marsden-Smedley, yourself and Family are in the best of health.  I may say Sir that I do not regret the step I took 18 months ago, it has been a great business to me, and I keep climbing the promotion ladder, and in the best of health, my only thought being for those I have left at home.
Again thanking you for your kindness and wishes, I remain gentlemen yours truly
Wm Foster Cpl

Sept 25th
Gentlemen
Allow me to thank you for the parcel I received from you, it is a pleasure to know we are not forgotten, by those at home.  I am pleased to say I am in the best of health, & doing my best  to bring this war to a speedy conclusion.
I hope that Master Basil has got quite well again, please remember me to him.  Hoping Mrs. Marsden - Smedley & both you gentlemen, are in the best of health, again thanking you, I remain
Yours truly
44389 Sgt Foster Wm

No. 44389.  2nd A.M. Wm Foster
K Section. Tent 8.  R.  F.  C.  Depot Camp, South Farnborough, Hants.
Aug. 25th
Dear Sir
Now I have got sectioned up I can let you know how I have got on.  After leaving Derby on the 18th, I came down here, & on the Saturday I was taken to the airadrome for my test to see what I could do at my trade having enlisted as a Cabinet maker because they would not except me at Derby without going as such.  I passed my test the officer  putting on my card skilled, & now I have to drill here for at least a month before being posted away.  My test was a rib of an airaplane very nice work.  It is pretty stiff work the drilling, we have 5 hours a day & then we have all washing & scrubbing to do, but still I am no worse for it & in good health.  I remain
Yours truly
Wm Foster

Leadenham, Lincs.
Dear Sir's
I received your welcome parcel of good things, & if it gave you as much pleasure to send it, as it gave me to receive it, you will feel amply repaid.  I thank you very much for it & also send to you the compliments of the season.
I remain
Your obedient servant
44389
Foster Wm

Photos courtesy Stephen Peet

William Foster in WW1 William Foster in WW1

William Foster in WW1 with aeroplane

William in front seat with the flight's pet dog, which allegedly went flying on occasions

William Foster with his aeroplane

William in the cockpit of the FE2b

the FE2b aerplane in WW1

The FE2b WW1 aeroplane

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: The Hollins Holloway

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
William Foster Boarder 24 Joiner Wakefield

RG13 piece 3235 folio 62 page 11

1911: Bracken Lane Holloway

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
William Foster Head 34 Hosiery joiner Wakefield
Minnie Foster wife 32   Brackenfield
Winifred Foster daughter 6 School Holloway
Clifford Foster son 3   Holloway

RG14PN21013 RG78PN1253 RD436 SD6 ED11 SN27