For the Empire’s Cause.
The deepest sympathy of the whole district is extended to Mrs C. Poster, of Quartz Reef Point, in the great affliction she has suffered during the last few days. All her sons, three in number, had answered the call. On Saturday morning she received intimation that her eldest son William had been admitted to a hospital suffering from a severe attack of pleurisy. Immediately on top of this came an official message that her youngest son, Robert, had been killed in action. What more than such a shock to a worthy mother could force home the cruel reality of war. Robert Foster, who was only a mere lad, was in the first enlistment, he was a native of Quartz Reef Point and one of the many pupils of Lowburn school who have answered the call. Although of slight build his stamina was beyond question, and as a boy he was a prominent figure on the football field. He was a cheery and straightforward young fellow admired by all. He led an exemplary life, he nobly answered the call, and now far removed from mother, friends, and home, he has laid down his life for his country. -Cromwell Argus, 30/8/1915.
PRIV. R. FOSTER.
Our Lowborn correspondent writes:— “The biographical sketch of Priv. Robt. Foster, a young man born in the back blocks of Otago, and who, previous to joining the Main Body, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, had not been separated from his mother for more than three weeks, may prove interesting to your readers as showing how this war is altering the thoughts and lives and outlook of our young men. The twelve months military life of Priv. Robb. Foster were so full of change and incident that he seems to have lived an average lifetime in it. Robt. Foster was born at Quartz Reef Point, on August 10th, 1894. He was educated at the Lowburn and Queensberry schools, and after finishing school worked on his mother’s farm at Queensberry until the year 1913, when the farm was sold, and Mrs Foster returned to Quartz Reef Point, Robert taking employment with Mr Middleton, of Northburn Station. Five days after England declared war on Germany, Robert Foster signed on in Cromwell, being the first one to do so in this district, but his name could not be sent to headquarters until August 11th, the day after his twentieth birthday. He immediately went into camp at Tahuna Park, Dunedin, and after some six weeks training sailed with the main body of the Expeditionary Force, arriving in Egypt in time to assist in the hoisting of the British flag in Egypt and to see the accession of H.H. Sultan Hussein 1, on Sunday, December 20th, 1914. Though Priv. Foster did not see actual fighting in Egypt he heard the sound of the guns, and saw the wounded being brought to camp, as he was a member of the reinforcements sent out to support the Indian troops, and to guard the Suez Canal against the Turks. He was among the first New Zealanders to land at the Dardanelles, and remained in the firing line until August 4th (Declaration Day), when he was killed in action, taking his share in the great fighting that is making New Zealand famous, and helping to bring about a feeling of greater security and peace in the world. For his family the greatest sympathy is felt. Priv. Foster’s elder brother William, after three months active service on Gallipoli, is lying seriously ill at Malta, and the eldest brother Henry sailed with the Sixth Reinforcements. Soldier sons of a soldier mother, and brothers of whom a sister may well be proud. -Cromwell Argus, 6/9/1915.
IN THE EMPIRE'S CAUSE.
The news received on Friday afternoon of the death of Trooper William Foster cast quite a shadow of sadness over the whole district. The community was mindful of the fact that the Foster fami'y had already suffered great grief and sorrow in the death of a few months ago of the youngest son Robert, who had died on Gallipoli in the thick of the fight. At the time of Robert's death, William was also compelled to vacate his place in the firing line, through a serious attack of illness, and was reported dangerously ill, and there was one general sincere wish that with careful nursing and attention the family would be spared from succeeding grief. But it was not to be, and after a long illness Trooper William Foster passed away last week.
The late Trooper Foster, the eldest son of Mrs Christina Foster, of Quartz Reef Point, was 28 years of age, and enlisted in the Second Reinforcements. He was in the trenches when his brother was killed, and was at the burial of his brother. Shortly after he was seized by an attack of pleurisy debility, which was succeeded by enteric and pneumonia, from which death ensued after four mouths suffering. Trooper Foster was born at Quartz Reef Point, and was educated at the Lowburn School, and is the fourth pupil of that school to give his life for the Empire. He followed various occupations in this district, and worked for some years in the North Island. He was a member of the Lowburn Football Club, one who was exceedingly popular with his club mates, and one who was renowned for "playing the game." In later years he was one of the leading forwards in the county reps. By reason of his fine character and manly behaviour, Trooper Foster was admired and respected by all who knew him. The sympathy of the whole district is extended to his bereaved mother and sister, in the loss of a second member of the family, in the great fight in the cause of freedom, justice, and right. They have the supreme consolation in their great sorrow that his death is surrounded with honor, and that his name will go down in the list of heroes who have answered the call to duty, and fallen in the cause. -Cromwell Argus, 22/11/1915.
The brief announcement that Priv. Henry Foster has died in a hospital in France will be received with deep regret throughout the district, and the sympathy of the whole district will go forth to his bereaved mother, who has now lost all her sons, three in number, in the Empires cause. At present full particulars are not in our possession. -Cromwell Argus, 28/12/1916.
Roll of Honor.
Lowburn — more particularly the part known as Quartz Reef Point — has again been deeply touched by sad news from the front (writes our own correspondent.) The death of Priv. Henry Foster in the 2nd Canadian Hospital, Le Treport, France, is the sixth death from four homes within two miles of each other. A few weeks ago came the sad news of H. McD. Campbell, a second lieutenant in the Australian Forces. Lieut. Campbell was the son of Mrs Campbell, of Quartz Reef Point. He was educated at the Lowburn School and was always popular with his school mates. From the time he left school he displayed much push and energy and soon worked himself into good positions. That he had not lost any of his push is shown by the military position held at the time of his death. Rather more sadness is attached to the death of Priv. Foster, in that he is the third and last soldier of his family to give his life for King and Country. The youngest brother Robert joined at the outbreak of the war and was killed in action on Gallipoli. Coincident with the news of his death came the news that the second brother, William, also serving on Gallipoli, was seriously ill with general debility. This sad news was followed some weeks later by news of his death and now we have to record the death of the eldest brother Henry. Private Henry Foster left New Zealand with the 6th Reinforcements, was a short while on Gallipoli, then in Egypt, and was among the first New Zealand troops to land in France. He was 30 years 6 months old, and a strong well-built man. He was educated in the Lowburn School, and after leaving school wandered over the greater part of New Zealand. At the time of enlistment he was working as a farm hand at Tarras. Though his death was due to disease he had, during his life, suffered but very little sickness, and his death would seem proof that the New Zealanders are indeed doing and suffering in the trenches in France. Though he died not in the din and excitement of battle, such as a soldier would wish, we know that he did his bit for us and his name will be remembered along with his fallen brothers and comrades with kind and reverent thoughts. To the bereaved mothers and relatives of our fallen boys is extended the heartfelt sympathy of the district and the wish is expressed that they will take comfort from the knowledge that their boys have done great things in the cause of freedom and liberty. -Cromwell Argus, 8/1/1917.
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