Private 4969

1^st/4^th Bn. Suffolk Regt.

Died 14^th January 1917.

Grave ref. 0. 1V M. 8 St. Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen, Sein-Maritime France.

JA Foster is listed as fallen on the Jacksdale Memorial. We have also found his parents’ grave in St Mary’s Churchyard at Westwood.  His father was Henry Samuel Foster who died in 1946 and his mother was Sarah Emma Foster who died in 1948. The grave also mentions their son, Jesse Alfred Foster, killed in France on 26th December 1917, aged 17 years.

As yet, we have been unable to find a soldier named JA Foster on the War Graves Commission Site with a date of death of 26th Dec 1917. Two soldiers are being looked at this stage. 

1. J A Foster, Private 4969, 1st/4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment, who died on Sunday 14th January 1917.

2. The Sherwood Foresters Roll shows the following:-James Foster, Private 26552, 16th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, who died on 12th July 1916. He was born at Arnold and enlisted at Mansfield. However, the date died is very different to the one given on the family gravestone. Because of this we are, at this stage, unable to say for sure. 

A Henry Foster is listed on the 1915 Electoral Roll living at 29, Pye Hill, Jacksdale, who may well have been Jesse’s father, Henry.  Enquiries are ongoing and we would welcome any information which would help us trace this serviceman or his family.

 Last Updated 6^th August 2002