Private Arthur Percy Foster
Private Arthur Percy Foster
Arthur Percy Foster was born on the 16th of February 1882 at 40 East Street, Northampton and baptised on the 11th of April 1882 at St Edmunds Church, Northampton.
Born to parents William McLenaghan, who at the time of Arthur's birth was a corporal in the 48th Foot, based at Northampton Barracks, his mother Annie Maria Foster, born in Northampton, married William at the age of 17 years old. The last known record for William was Percy’s birth certificate.
Annie remarried on the 6th of November 1885 to John Francis Foster, and stated she was a widow, no death has been found for William.
Arthur’s birth was registered as Arthur Percy McLenaghan but he had changed to Foster by the 1891 census, the family was still living at 40 East Street, Northampton and Arthur was listed as Percy Foster. It is not known if he was adopting his mothers maiden name or his stepfathers name, both being Foster.
Arthur married Ada Ellen Green on the 2nd of March 1907 at the register office in Edmonton, Middlesex, his occupation on his marriage certificate was listed as a window cleaner.
They had 6 children together;
- Ellen Ada born 1908
- Victor Arthur born 1909
- Arthur George born 1910
- Doris Mabel born 1913
- Harold Albert born 1914
- Sydney William born 1917
On the 1911 census Arthur and Ada were living at 28 Rectory Road Hornsey and Arthur was now working as a lamplighter.
Arthur attested to the 1st/7th Bn., Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Service number TF/200551, it seems that Arthur's service record has not survived.
Sadly Arthur was Killed in Action on the 16th of August 1917 at Passchendaele, Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders, Belgium.
He is remembered at the Tyne Cot Memorial panel 113 – 115.
We Shall Remember
