Private James Foster

In Memory of

Private James Foster

1750, 5th Bn Australian Imperial Force

who died at Pozières
on 25th July 1916, aged 38


Remembered with honour

VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MEMORIAL

He was the son of Robert and Anna Mary Foster. Born at Boosbeck, Yorks, England.

Private James Foster had previously served in Egypt before he came to France in early 1916. He was killed in the fighting at Pozières. A comrade, Private Graham Boddy, later stated:

"I saw Jim Foster lying dead in No Man's Land after the 2nd attack at Pozières in August. I believe he was killed during the first attack in July. We held our objective that day, but some of our men went on rather too far, & had to come back. I think J.Foster must have been with them & was left lying where he fell.

The 8th Battn dug a new front line in August. I am a Head Quarters Bomber & went out on patrol one night. I noticed Foster when we were going out. It was a moonlight night, and I had another look at him on my way back.

I left him there & I do not know whether he was buried afterwards. I am almost certain it was he."

Foster had been living in Mount Lyell, Tasmania, and had been a miner - both in England and Australia. He was married with a family.