Harry's Story.
Remembered on St. Helen’s Northwich Memorial and the Northwich Town Memorial along with his brother.
Northwich Guardian 7th September 1917; MISSING, PRIVATE HARRY FORSTER.
News has come to hand that another Castle soldier is amongst the missing – Private Harry Forster of the Shropshire Light Infantry. Some of his comrades from Northwich in letters home state that he was posted as missing after a recent engagement and there has since been no trace of him whatever.
Northwich Guardian 21st September 1917; LANCE CORPORAL HARRY FORSTER
Information has been received by Mrs Forster of 159 Solvay Road. Winnington, that her husband Lance Corporal Harry Forster of the Shropshire Light Infantry has been reported missing since August 16th.
The news was conveyed to Mrs Forster in an official letter from the War Office. On Monday, in answer to an inquiry, she received a letter from Lieutenant Edward Bygott which read:- “I have received your letter with regard to your husband, Lance Corporal Forster of my platoon. I am very sorry to have to tell you that there is very little information from which one can ascertain his fate. I was not with the platoon on the 16th August but have made exhaustive inquires amongst the men who were at all likely to be able to supply any information without, unfortunately, any definite result.
Early on the morning of the 16th your husband took part in an attack. The last persons to see him were another corporal and a man in your husbands section. At the time the three were taking shelter in a shell-hole about 20 years behind the firing line. The other two went forward and your husband was to bring up the rear of his section. He has not been seen since and has been officially reported missing. At the time there was heavy German sniping going on and we can only conclude that the worst has happened. I understand that your husbands watch was found and no doubt you will receive it in due course.”
Lance Corporal Forster is 22 years of age and has one child aged eighteen months. He e3nlisted at the beginning of the war and has been on active service since December, 1915. Prior to his enlistment he worked for Mr. Appleton, builder and contractor, of Winnington. (Most of this article was repeated on 28th Sept. 1917.)
C.W.G.C. remember a Harry Forster, L/Cpl, No 15518, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, died 16th August 1917, aged 22, at the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 112 to 113) Belgium. Additional Info; Son of Samuel Forster of 8 Rider (Ryder) St. Castle Northwich; husband of Winifred Booth (formerly Forster) of 5 Church St. Davenham Northwich, Cheshire.
Cheshirebmd records the marriage of a Harry Forster and Winifred Adams in 1915 at St. Luke, Winnington. No article on the marriage found.
N.A.M.C. have a medal card for a Harry Forster with the Shropshire Light Infantry, Pte., No 15518. Awarded the 15 Star, British and Victory medal. T.o.W. France & D.o.E. 31/12/15. There is a note on the card “Dead on or since 16/8/17”
The 1911 census has a Forster family living at 10 Harrisons Place, Castle, Northwich, with Samuel Forster, aged 48 head of the family, General Labourer, born Castle; Mary wife aged 41, having had 6 children and all surviving, 5 at home including Harry age 17, apprentice Bricklayer; Arthur aged 15, also apprentice Bricklayer, with Dora, James and John, all born at Castle. (Arthur is also a Northwich “Fallen” Cheshire Reg’t., No 1746.)