Pte
Thomas Foster
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1884 |
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Place of birth: Geelong, Victoria, Australia |
General information
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Profession: Labourer |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 1868A |
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Enlistment date: 06/03/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 43rd Bn. (The Hindmarsh Regiment) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 05/10/1917 |
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Place of death: A.D.S. Prison, Ypres, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Died of wounds (D.O.W.) |
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Age: 33 |
Cemetery
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Ypres Reservoir Cemetery Plot: I Row: F Grave: 69 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private Thomas Foster was part of the 43th Battalion Australian Infantry Hindmarch Regiment (11th Australian Brigade, 3th Australian Division). Before enlisting, the 33 year old Thomas worked as labourer in Adelaide, South Australia. He served together in the same battalion as his younger brother Edward Joseph.
On the 4th October, the 43th Bn. Australian Infantry took part in the Battle of Broodseinde. The 11th Australian Brigade divided the task of the attack, where the 43th Bn. A.I.F. was responsible for the first wave. The 43th Battalion was to capture the line until Alma (D.22.c.20.40). It met its objective at 6.20am, after which it was immediately consolidated. However, the battalion suffered heavy losses before meeting its objective on Hill 40. The 42th battalion was to leapfrog through the 43th battalion. As one company missed its barrage, men from the 43th battalion joined. The second objective was reached fairly easy at 7.25 am.
According to his Service Record, Private Foster was wounded during the attack. The 11th Australian Field Ambulance recorded that he succumb to his wounds the next day and was buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. His brother Edward Joseph was killed by the concussion of a shell on 4 October. He was buried where he fell near Hill 40. A third brother John Foster, 48th Bn. A.I.F. survived the war and returned home to Australia during 1919, as did a fourth brother, George Foster from the 32nd Bn. A.I.F.
On the 4th October, the 43th Bn. Australian Infantry took part in the Battle of Broodseinde. The 11th Australian Brigade divided the task of the attack, where the 43th Bn. A.I.F. was responsible for the first wave. The 43th Battalion was to capture the line until Alma (D.22.c.20.40). It met its objective at 6.20am, after which it was immediately consolidated. However, the battalion suffered heavy losses before meeting its objective on Hill 40. The 42th battalion was to leapfrog through the 43th battalion. As one company missed its barrage, men from the 43th battalion joined. The second objective was reached fairly easy at 7.25 am.
According to his Service Record, Private Foster was wounded during the attack. The 11th Australian Field Ambulance recorded that he succumb to his wounds the next day and was buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery. His brother Edward Joseph was killed by the concussion of a shell on 4 October. He was buried where he fell near Hill 40. A third brother John Foster, 48th Bn. A.I.F. survived the war and returned home to Australia during 1919, as did a fourth brother, George Foster from the 32nd Bn. A.I.F.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Edward Joseph Foster
Brother |
Sources 7
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"Passchendaele, The Day-by-Day Account",McCarthy C., Arms&ArmourPress, London, 1995, page 98-99 Sources used |
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AIF Project https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=102193 Sources used |
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AWM https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=Foster+Thomas&people_service_number=1868a&people_unit= Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/98891/THOMAS%20FOSTER/ Sources used |
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Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4023563 Sources used |
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The Long long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/3rd-australian-division/ Sources used |
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War Diary https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1344151 Sources used |