Percival's Story.
Percival Forster was born circa 1882, he was a twin to Frank Forster and they were Baptized at the Holy Epiphany Church at Lache cum Saltney on the 14th June 1882 (although this doesn't coincide with their ages on the 1891 census, where they were said to be 6 years old.) However the 1891 census shows the family living at 46, Curzon Street, Chester (St. Mary-without-the-Walls) and their parents were Henry Forster, 51 a Caretaker Pensioner who had been born in Kent. His wife Margaret, 48 had been born in Staffordshire. Sons, John, 15 and a Law Clerk in a "Solicitors" Office, born in Lancashire, Edwin, 13, born in Cork, Ireland, George, 11, with Frank, 6, and Percy, 6 born in Flintshire made up the family.
There are Baptisms for the twins:-
Baptisms at Holy Epiphany Church, Lache-cum-Saltney
Page 100 No's 794/795 1 4th June 1882 Percival & Frank son's of Henry & Margaret Forster , Lache-cum-Saltney, Watchman
2 other children were baptized, possibly twins again, but who are not on any census, so presumably they died, but I cannot find any Death Certificates for them, they are :-
Page 108 No 864 13th June 1884 Joseph Herbert s/o Henry & Margaret Forster Saltney, Time-Keeper
Page 109 No 865 13th June 1884 William s/o Henry & Margaret Forster, Saltney, Time Keeper.
Page 109 No. 870 ?????????? 1884 William s/o Henry & Margaret F Forster, Saltney, Time Keeper.
Same child baptized again?????
By the 1901 census they had moved to 30, Chester Street, Lache-cum-Saltney, Chester. The head of the household now called himself William Henry Forster, he was 61 and a Timekeeper at an Oil Works and stated he had been born in Milton, Kent. His wife Margaret, 51, stated she had been born in Gold Hill, Staffordshire. Son John, now 25. was single and a Solicitor's Clerk, he had been born in Fleetwood, Lancashire. Son Edwin was named as Edward, 23, single and an Assistant to some occupation, this was so overwritten by the Enumerator I cannot make out the words, but it was with the Railway, he had been born in Ireland. Twins Frank and Percival, both single and now 18 years old had differing occupations, Frank was a Railway Engine Cleaner and Percy was a Bootmaker's Apprentice. They had been born in Saltney.
There was sadness in 1905 when, I believe, Margaret, William Henry's wife died, her death was registered in Hawarden. (HAW/02A/32)
In 1909 Frank had married Rebecca Bennion in St. Mark's Church, Lache cum Saltney, Chester. (CE35/1/191) and on the 1911 census they are seen living at 9, West View, Saltney, Chester. (4 rooms). Frank was head of the household and 28, a Railway Engine Foreman, with the London & North Western Railway Co., his wife Rebecca, 23 and baby Frank Percival under 5 months old. They state on this census that they had been married under 1 year and 1 child had been born to them, who was still living. They had all been born Saltney, Flintshire.
William Henry, 71, was on his own on the 1911 census, living at the Dee Oil Works, Saltney (6 rooms), he was just Henry on this census and luckily for us, he had entered on the census the information that he had been "Married 38 years, 12 children born, 7 died," this was crossed out by the Enumuerator and that he was a Timekeeper, Oil Manufacturer. And also that he was an Army Pensioner, (Private) and he was working "At Home." Again he states that he had been born in Milton, Kent.
Percy must have either become a Sailor and settled in Australia or emigrated to Australia and then after a while on ships, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force.
ATTESTATION Paper from Australian Archives. - Copies to be put on website - very interesting.
FORSTER, Percival
Where born:- Saltney, Chester.
Age:- 27 and 1/2 years
Trade:- Cash, Boot & Shoe Boy, Chester. (5 years)
Are you married? No.
Next of Kin:- (Brother) John Ly. FORSTER, Wellington Ave., Aldershot, England (Crossed out) and Frank FORSTER, 9, West View, Saltney, Chester.
Have you ever served in the Army etc., :- Cheshire Volunteers (5 years)
Form signed on the 14th February 1916 at Casula, in the State of New South Wales.
Another paper:-
Description of Percy
Age 25 years
Height 5 feet 4 inches
Weight 112 lbs
Chest measurement - 31 - 33 and 1/2 inches.
Complexion - Fresh
Eyes -- Blue
Hair - Fair
Religion - C of E.
Distinctive Marks - Rt Forearm - Crucifixion, Left forearm - Basket of Flowers and Tombstone.
Another paper - Statement of Service of 1977 (crossed out) 4261
Page 13 of 50 - Application to enlist in Australian Imperial Force.
Percy FORSTER
Occupation - Cook.
New Zealand is mentioned.
114, Engester Street, Wellington, N.Z. crossed out and G.P.O. Sydney form signed 12th February 1916.
Personal Particulars :-
Age - 25 years
Height:- 5 feet 4 inches
Single
Weight 112 lbs
Chest measurements - (fully expanded):- 31 - 33 and 1/2 inches.
Date stamped Town Hall, Sydney, Recruiting Depot.
Page 15 of 50
FORSTER, Percy. 4261 Pte. 11/30th Btn
Emb. At Sydney per S.S. "Port Nicholson" 8th November 1916
17 February 1917 DIED of DISEASE at Milty Hosp. Fovant. Pneumonia. Authority LOND 15th April 1917
26th - 27th January 1917 CRIME At London. A.W.L. 2ns February 1917 Award 5 dys Fld punish. No. 2. Await trial 5 days. Tot forfeiture. 11 dys pay. Authority LDn 12th February 12th February 1917.
12th February 1917. Sick to No. 10. Camp Hosp. 8th Tng. Bn. Hurdcott. Authority LDN 14th March 1917
20th February 1917 BURIED AT BAVERSTOCK CEMETERY WILTS. CONCECRATED GROUND. Authority LDN 39/3/17 (sic) B.R. 124
Page 17 0f 50 Duplicate B.R.124 - Burial report. Undertaker - and remarks about death, burial and remarks of sentimental interest to relatives.
Brother:- Mr. Frank F Forster, 9, West View, Saltney, Chester, England.
Page 37 to 39 of 50 Report of Hernia and discharge.
Page 45 of 50 Died at 6.30 am on 27th February 1917 from Pneumonia & Cardiac Failure.
According to his Flintshire WW1 Index Card, Percy emigrated to Australia, but on his Australian Imperial Force Army Service papers, there is an address (Wellington*) in New Zealand, so perhaps he went there first, however, his twin brother Frank tells us that he was on ships coming from Australia to Egypt, and afterwards, in 1916, he enlisted in the A.I.F.
On Family search https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12586-73788-17?cc=1609792 on H.M. NZ Transport "Tahiti" (14)(2), (Immigration 1915 Event - Guam, New Zealand. Depart. Port,- Wellington*. Arr. Port - Guam.)
List of Crew:-
Percy FORSTER Ass. Butcher (on his Army papers, he said he was a Cook.)
* His address on Army papers - 114, Engester Street, Wellington, N.Z.
Flintshire WW1 Index Card (Saltney Ferry F 15)
FORSTER, Percival, Saltney, Nr. Chester. 4261 30th Bn. A.I.F. Period of Service 2 years 7 months. Private Sailor on Transports between Australia & Egypt afterwards joining the Australian Army. Died of pneumonia at Forant Military Hospital on Salisbury Plain. 17th February 1917. Card signed by Frank Forster, 7th November 1919.(Percy's twin brother)
Researched and compiled by Mavis Williams.