REFA02436

Price: £425.00

A family medal group awarded to the Foster’s. Father M2-048483, Acting Company Quartermaster Thomas Norman Foster, who served with the 178th Company, Army Service Corp in France and his son 1169219, (UT/PILOT) Leading Aircraftman, Anthony John Evans Foster, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in a training exercise (shot down by an enemy fighter) while serving with the 12th Flying Training School which was based at RAF Spitalgate (formerly known as RAF Grantham).  He is buried at Granthan Cemetery.

The details of their awards are as follows:-

Thomas Norman Foster:

1914-15 Star named to M2-048483. CPL. T. N. FOSTER, A.S.C.

British War Medal and Victory Medal named to M2-048483. A.C.Q.M. SJT. T. N. FOSTER, A.S.C.

Anthony (Tony) John Evans Foster:

Defence Medal unnamed as issued.

British War Medal unnamed as issued.

Further details of WW2 medal award criteria, can be viewed by clicking on here and scrolling to the relevant medal entry.

In relation to Thomas Norman Foster, the medals are provided loose. In relation to his son Anthony, the medals are also loose along with their original ribbons, Air Council Casualty Medal Award Slip, including ‘ticker tape’ and in the original box of issue which was posted to his father at an address noted as 10 Battery End, Wash Common, Newbury, Berkshire.

Accompanying the medals are a number personal affects and family photographs of both father and son, along with two telegram’s to the Foster family. 1 informing the family of his death and 2.  informing them of the location and date and time of the funeral. What makes this group so interesting, is the mass of what appears to be ‘professional’ photographs of the actual funeral attended by many RAF service personnel dressed in uniform - I’ve not seen their like.

Also included is a copy of the RAF’s 68th Casualty List, which clearly states that Tony Foster was killed ‘in action against the enemy’. It would appear that he was shot down while on a training flight by an enemy fighter aircraft, and crashed near Stroxton, 1½ mile SE of Harlaxton, also killing 758086, Sgt (Pilot) Ralph Kilburn. The details can be viewed by clicking on here and on here. Kilburn’s details can be found by clicking on here.

FURTHER DETAILS:

Thomas Norman Foster was born on the 2nd February 1896 at St Budeaux Devonshire. There are many details relating to him that can be found on Ancestry by using the following ‘search’ which can be viewed by clicking on here. In Summary, at the outbreak of WW1 he was living at Devonport working as a Labourer. With the onset of WW1 he enlisted at Plymouth into the Army Service Corp on the 6/2/15.

His Army Service Records can be viewed by clicking on here, (if you have access to Ancestry). He appears to have quickly risen through the ranks, and his records have reference to him serving with the 178th and the 358th Companies.

He arrived in France on the 10/7/1915, this is shown not only on his service records but also on his Medal Index Card which can be viewed by clicking on here, (again if you have access to Ancestry, although a paper copy will be provided with this listing). He served on the western front throughout the war and was transferred to the reserve/demobbed on the 28/8/19.

He had married Gladys I. Heard in 1918 and after WW1 I’m not clear of his life other than it appears that he had at least three children including Tony (their 2nd eldest) who was born on the 27th September 1921. According to the 1939 Register which can be viewed by clicking on here (if you have a subscription to ‘find my past’), he was living in Newbury, Berkshire working as a Petroleum Manager.

He died in June 1968, by this time he was living on the Isle of Wight.

His son Tony was born in December 1921 at Plymouth, by the time of the outbreak of WW2 in 1939 he was, (according to the 1939 Register) studying as a mining student and living in Monmouthshire - about 2 hours travel from Newbury). His entry on the register can be found by clicking on here, (again if you have access to ‘find my past’).

I cannot find any service related documentation in regards to Tony, but he must have joined the RAF in 1940 and was serving with the 12th Flying Training School at Grantham at the time of his death. His Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry can be viewed by clicking on here. Details of the 12th FTS can be viewed by clicking on here.

I AM UNABLE TO SPLIT THIS FAMILY GROUP.

Price £425 - please read the terms and conditions below.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

Please note that all listings which are sold will remain on the site for 14 days after the day of postage to allow access to the links that are contained within each of the separate listings - after this time, the listings will be removed from the site.

Any documentation which is available on the net ‘free of charge’ will not be printed and included with your listing when it is posted to you. All pay to view documentation; such as ‘Ancestry’ held documents, will be provided as a part of the price paid for the listing (where specifically stated).

Layaway facility to suite your budget is available, details on request.

Why not part-exchange your un-wanted medals against your purchase?

Postage, £5 Recorded Delivery for orders under £40, £14 Special Delivery for orders over £40, Overseas postage will be agreed with the buyer on a sale by sale basis.

South Africa courier service £45.00.

Returns accepted for items returned within 7 days of receipt only if medal/medals are not as described.

Payment types accepted, £ Sterling or € Euros cash, Sterling Cheque, Sterling Bank Transfer, Paypal, (but only if your prepared to use the ‘send money to friends and family’ function).

WANTED ALL items, all periods to the surname HAIGH or BROWNRIDGE.

Any queries please contact by email or, by mobile: 07729 479618.

GWW1-58/OLM414/REF20550