Albert Sidney was born on 17 November 1888 at 6 King William Terrace, Old Woolwich Rd, Greenwich, Kent, the son of Joseph Foster, a tram car conductor, and Mary Ann Maria Foster formerly Hallard. The informant of his death was father Joseph Foster, of the same address. [1]
He was baptised on 28 August 1889 at Christ Church, Greenwich. His parents were named as Joseph Foster, a tram conductor, and Mary Foster of 6 King William Tce. [2]
In the 1891 census Albert Hoster, as recorded, was living with his parents at 17 Dundas Road, Hamlet of Peckham, London. He was aged 2 years. [3]
Albert commenced school at St. Matthew's National School, Camden on 28 August 1893. His date of birth was recorded as 17 November 1888 and his parent named as Joseph Foster of 9 Drummond St. [4]
In 1901 the family was living at 2, Block D, Polygon Buildings, St Pancras, London. Albert was then aged 13 years. [5]
By 1911 the family was living at 100 Haselbury Road, Upper Edmonton, London. Albert, aged 23, was a telephone cable jointer with the General Post Office. [6]
From London Gazette dated 2 December 1913, Pg 8901 –
APPOINTMENTS. November 11, 1913. Without Competition. Post Office: Skilled Workmen, [list included] Albert Sidney Foster. [7]
Albert Sidney Foster attested for Short Service, for the duration of WWI, on 6 December 1915 at Edmonton. Personal information recorded in his war records stated Albert was single aged 27 years, 1 month. He had been born at Greenwich and was still living at 100 Hazlebury [sic] Rd, Edmonton. He was employed as a cable jointer with P.O. in London. Albert was physically described as having hazel eyes, dark hair and a fresh complexion. His height was 5 feet, 8 inches and weight 157 pounds. Next of kin was listed as Mary Ann Foster, mother, of 100 Hazlebury Rd.
Albert was mobilized on 25 October 1916 and posted as a pioneer with Royal Engineers, Regimental No. 210967. On 27 October 1916 he was tested at the Signal School at Fenny Stratford and found indifferent as a Tel[egraph] Perm[anent] Line[sman].
On 6 August 1917 Albert was tested at the "U" Corps Signal Company of Royal Engineers at Hitchin and found proficient as a Field Line Telegraphist. He was remustered as a sapper from that date.
On 25 September 1917 Albert embarked a ship at Devonport and disembarked on 5 December 1917 at Basrah [Iraq].
He was admitted to 31st Hospital, Baghdad on 9 June 1918 and discharged on 24 June 1918. Medical records written on 6 March 1919 state Albert had malaria in July [sic] 1918. It occurred in hospital while he was there as a patient [his reason for being an inpatient was not recorded]. The attack had only lasted a few days and he had had no attack since.
Albert then embarked a ship in Basra/Basrah on 24 March 1919 to return to England. His unit was dispersed on 5 May 1919. Albert was issued with a Certificate of Identity which stated the Theatre of War he had been in as Mespot [Mesopotamia]. [8]
Albert was later awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal. [9]
Albert Sidney Foster was included in the electoral rolls from 1922. From 1922 to 1929 he was listed as living at 100 Haselbury Road, Upper Edmonton. [10]
Albert Sydney [sic] Foster married Rose Maud Philips on 26 October 1925 at the Register Office, Edmonton, Middlesex. Their marriage certificate recorded Albert was a bachelor aged 36 and a civil servant at G.P.O. His father was named as Joseph Foster, a telephone fault finder at G.P.O. Rose was a spinster aged 29 years and a tailoress. Her father was named as Thomas Richard Phillips, a gas meter repairer. At the time of their marriage Albert was living at 100 Hazelbury [sic] Rd, Edmonton and Rose at 5 Hawthorn Rd, Edmonton. Their witnesses were A. F. Pruden and W. E. Leadbeater. [11]
This couple had one daughter born in 1926.
Rose Maud Foster was added to the electoral rolls in 1927. She was then living at 100 Haselbury Road, Upper Edmonton with Albert and his parents.
From 1930 to 1936 Albert and Rose were recorded in the electoral rolls living at 6 Park Lane, Edmonton. [12]
The 1939 Register, taken on 29 September 1939, has been described as a snapshot of the civilian population of England and Wales just after the outbreak of the Second World War. The Register recorded each person's address, date of birth and occupation. However it must be noted that records will remain closed for 100 years after a persons’ date of birth, without a death certificate providing proof of death, making some records unavailable at this time.
Albert and Rose were then living at 20 Mead Way, Ashford, Middlesex. Albert, aged 50, was a civil servant and skilled workman [Class I], at the Engineering Dept of the GPO. It was later added that he was an electrical cable jointer. His date of birth was incorrectly recorded as 17 October 1888. Rose, born 4 April 1896, was aged 43. The record of their child has not yet been released. [13]
From London Gazette Supplement dated 4 January 1949, Pgs 59 & 60 -
CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD. St. James’s Palace, S. W. 1. 4 January, 1949. The King has been graciously pleased to award the Imperial Service Medal to the following officers:-
HOME CIVIL SERVICE. [Included] Foster, Albert Sidney, Skilled Workman, Class I, London Telecommunications Region. [14]
Albert Sidney Foster died in 1972 aged 83 years. [15]
Rose Maud Foster died on 8 September 1983 at 189 Slad Rd, Stroud, Gloucestershire aged 87 years of a coronary thrombosis, arteriosclerosis and a chronic obstructive airways disease. Her death certificate further recorded Rose was the widow of Albert Sydney [sic] Foster, a telecommunications officer, and her usual address was 189 Slad Rd, Stroud. Rose had been born on 4 April 1896 at London and her maiden name was Phillips. The informant of her death was her daughter of the same address. [16]
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