Charles William Foster

Charles Foster (Service No 74) was born in Taunton, Somerset, England.  On 7th June 1898 he enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry and saw service in South Africa from December 1899 till April 1902, and discharged on 5th June 1910.  On 7th February 1906 he married Florence Hembrow.

He arrived in Australia sometime between 1910 & 1914.  At enlistment Chalres was single, 34 years old, worked as miner and lived at Coledale, N.S.W.  Charles nominated his brother, George, as his next of kin.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A14 Euripides with 4th Battalion, E Company as Colour Sergeant on 20th October 1914. On on 1st January 1915, after his arrival in Egypt, Charles was made Company Sergeant-Major of B Company.

He arrived on Gallipoli on 25th April and on 1st May was promoted to Lieutenant. Charles was mentioned in despatches for his bravery in the early days of the campaign and this award was published 11th December 1915 in London.

On 16th August 1915 he was evacuated to hospital in Malta sick.

On 12th March 1916 Charles was promoted to Captain.  He arrived in France with 4th Battalion, B Company on 30th March 1916.

On 15th June 1916 he was admitted to hospital sick and suffered a nervous breakdown.

Charles was repatriated to Australia in February 1918 and discharged medically unfit from the AIF on 29th April 1918.

After the war Charles was employed by the Post Master General's Department and was living in Balgownie, N.S.W. in 1923.

Charles' service is commemorated on the Balgownie War Memorial 1914-1918.