My Grandfather John Foster

b.loree

b.loree

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I am posting a pic of my Scottish grandparents on their wedding day in 1914. My grandfather John Foster appears in Brit Army uniform as he was a Corporal in the Highland Light Infantry. He served at Galipoli, Egypt and again on the Western Front. I have his service number and tried to track down his war service records more than 10 years ago. I was told at that time that many WW1 records had been destroyed during the blitz and that the Brit archives were just starting to go through these and see what could be saved. I am posting this in hopes that one of our members can update me on these WW1 records and perhaps provide a new starting place for me to discover information re my grandfathers' military career during WW1. You will note that he has 4 good conduct stripes (years of service??) on the right arm, a corp. stripe plus a brass LG badge with wreath. I believe that this LG badge signifies that he had qualified as a Lewis Gun instructor but I could be wrong. Any information would be much appreciated. Brian

john_foster.jpg
 
Brian,
A couple of years ago, I was searching for my grandfather's records and I ran across a site that had restored records from the fire, I was rather excited until it found out that ther were British records, and had been restored from the fires of the blitz, the records of the US service men that were damaged in the fire in the 70s were hauled to the land fill. You might try another search.
Best wishes
Gsu
 
Hi Brian:

You might want to contact Forrest Anderson in Edinburgh. He has helped me on more than one occasion.

http://www.militaryresearcher.com/

I was able to narrow the field somewhat:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/search-results.asp?searchtype=browserefine&query=first_name%3djohn%7clast_name%3dfoster%7ccorpname%3d%20highland%20light%20infantry&catid=10&pagenumber=1&querytype=1&mediaarray=*

Chas.
 
Many thanks Chas and Gus! Hmmm.... Chas 4 medal cards for the JF would that indicate 4 medals?? One card for each?? Brian
 
Hey Brian,
That has to be different men, as your Grandfather was a Corporal in 1914 and the listings are four different regiment numbers (he could have been shifted between regiments, just a thought.
Gus
 
Hi Brian:

Gus is correct. Not knowing your Grandfather Foster's regimental number, these four men matched the search criteria. My money is on Corp 1368 Foster:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=3715421&queryType=1&resultcount=4

You can order a PDF of John Foster's Medal Index Card for £3.50. All his medals would appear on one card.

Go for it, Dude!

Chas.
 
Thanks for all of the advice and help guys..especially you Chas for taking the time to go to the archives. I re checked my file on John Foster and I already have a copy of his medal card. He was in the 7th Batt of the Highland Light Infantry and entered the Galipoli theatre July 2 1915. He was entitled to the 1914/15 Star, Brit War Medal and Allied Victory Medal. His original Regt number was 1368 and later army number 280048. My family's recollections stated that he was wounded 3 times...back of the neck, accross front of the lip, heel and big toe. He was lucky to survive..I only met him once when I was 10. Perhaps I will take another shot at the professional researcher route. Thanks to all, Brian
 
Hi Brian:

I can practically guarantee Forrest will be able to provide you with more information than you can imagine, and, as a fellow Scot, will probably do so gratis. He does accept donations through PayPal, but there is no formal fee for his services.

When you get the results, I would be very interested in learning the details.

Chas.
 
Thanks Chas, I will email him using your link. Believe me I will let everyone know any additional information that comes my way. I know that it is a long involved process but I am tempted to contact the Brit Govt to issue another set of medals. I do have paper work to prove that I am his grandson. Unfortunately, my Scottish cousins appear to care less about him or his war service. Well....maybe it is just as well that I care and they do not. Brian
 
Brian
Nice Picture .Not all the records were detroyed for Brittish servicemen but there were alot that were damaged . Try the Forum The Long Long trail for Info . Also the Western Front Association has some good sources and connections to the Brittish National Military records .
The reason for 2 numbers is one is a unit Number and the second a national service number . On average there are 10 names to every Regimental number ,so the national service number was created .Not much different from Canian Army during the same number.
LG is lewis Gunner . This qualification was awarded to men usuallly mechanically inclined especialy prior to 1916 as it was a trade .I will se what my WFA connections can do with national service record stuff for you.
Mark
PS after another quick look at the pick he is an instructor on the Light Machine gun . In 1914 I think maybe the Hotchkiss and the lewis later.
 
Many thanks Mark...am I correct about the 4 yrs of service stripes? shown on the sleve below the LG instructor badge? My GF also volunteered in WW2. He joined the airforce of all things and I believe served in a survey crew of some sort, definately on the Home Front. Brian
 
Brian
sorry no luck with WFA guys yet . The stripes are service stripes one may be red indicating service in 1914 . This made him a member of what the WW1 soldier's started to call the old boys club or the Red Stripe Club .
Mark
 
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