Private 7981 1st Battalion, The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment
Died of wounds received in action 6 January 1918 aged 33
Remembered on the Ash War Memorial
Buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ieper, Belgium
Remembered on the Memorial to the Men of Ash Vale in St Mary’s Church

Henry Foster was born in Windsor in 1885. He enlisted at Guildford 31 December 1903 aged 19 years and 5 months. He had blue eyes and light brown hair, and was 5 feet 3½ inches tall. Between 1904 and 1907 he served in India, and he was transferred to the reserve 14 January 1907.

On 24 December 1910 Henry married Amy Trussler at St Peter’s Church, Ash. The 1911 census records them living in Victoria Cottage, Firacre Road, Ash Vale, and Henry was a bricklayer’s labourer. They had two children. Ellen Jane who was born in November 1911 and William Henry who was born November 1917 and died 23 February 1918.

Henry was recalled and mobilised 5 August 1914 and went to France 12 August. He fought through the Battle of Mons and earned the 1914 Star.

After his death, Amy Foster was sent her husband’s belongings and asked to acknowledge receipt. She was sent letters, photos and cards, two wallets, tobacco tin, purse, watch and chain, lanyard, badge, matchbox cover, belt, knife, metal ring and disc. Amy received a pension for herself and one child from 29 July 1918. She was still recorded as living in Victoria Cottage Firacre Road in the electoral register of 1918, and was at 3 Castle Villas, Northcote Road, Ash Vale in 1919.