Corporal Percy William Foster, 36th Bn AIF, 1917

83 Corporal

P.W. FOSTER

36th Bn. Australian Inf.

22nd October 1917

Corporal PERCY WILLIAM FOSTER

Service Number:………………….. 83

Regiment & Unit:………………….Australian Infantry, A.I.F.

……………………………………..36th Bn.

Date of Death:……………………...Died 22 October 1917

Buried or commemorated at IPSWICH OLD CEMETERY

Grave:………………………………BA. IA. 12.

Additional Info Son of Arthur and Isabella Foster, of Mallanganee, New South Wales, Australia.

Sourced: www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/...

 

According to his Australian service record, Percy William Foster, an unmarried Labourer born Harwood Island, New South Wales, was aged 28 years and four months when he enlisted in A Company, 36th Battalion on the 1st January 1916. He took the oath at Liverpool, New South Wales, on the 6th January 1916. His service number was 83.

 

His next of kin was his father, Arthur Foster, of Mallanganee, New South Wales.

 

Percy gave as his previous military experience, 4 months with the Mallanganee Rifle Club.

 

He was 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighed 175lbs, had brown hair, dark eyes and a sallow complexion. His distinctive marks was two scars right forearm.

 

On the 9th February 1916 he wrote out a will, leaving eveything to his mother Isabella Foster of Wallanganee. She would also be his legal executrix.

 

He went absent without leave for three days in early April 1916.

 

He sailed from Sydney on the 13th May 1916 aboard the HMAT Beltana, reaching Devonport on the 9th July 1916.

On the 14th November 1916 he re-joined his unit, having spent time in hospital at first Fargo Military Hospital and then Bulford Manor in England as a resulture of the Tibia and Fibula.

 

On the 22nd November 1916 the Battalion deployed to France.

 

On the 29th January 1917 he was wounded in action – according to his C.O. slightly, according to 9th Australian Field Ambulance and No.2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station it was severely. He was put aboard 24 Ambulance Train on the 30th with Gun Shot Wounds to the “lower extremities”. Received at 3rd Canadian General Hospital on the 1st February 1917, he was moved on back to England the same day aboard the Aberdonian.

 

Admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley on the 4th February 1917, he would recover well enough to be moved to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital on the 11th April. From the 4th May to the 19th May he had a discharge furlough, before reporting back to a Training Depot. On the 27th May he sailed from Southampton, bound for France. He caught up with his unit in the field on the 14th June 1917.

 

Percy was appointed Lance Corporal on the 12th June 1917.

 

He was wounded in action again for the second time on the 21st July 1917, receiving a GSW to the forearm. His evacuation route this time took him through 11th Australian Field Ambulance, No.2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Ambulance Train and then 6 General Hospital at Rouen. After a short stay he moved first to No.2 Convalsent Depot and then No.6 Convalescent Depot. By the 21st August 1917 he was transferred to the Base Depot, and being assessed still fit for frontline service he rejoined his unit in the field on the 1st September 1917.

 

Percy was promoted Corporal on the 14th September 1917. On the 16th September 1917 he proceeded to Divisional School.

 

On the 12th October 1917 he was wounded in action for the 3rd time. Medically evacuated via the 11th Australian Field Ambulance, 44 Casualty Clearing Station and Ambulance Train, he reached the 2nd Australian General Hospital on the 14th October. His condition was given as shot wound right buttock. On the 18th October 1917 he was put aboard the Hospital Ship St Denis and moved to England, reaching the East Suffolk and Ipswich Hospital on the 19th October 1917. On admission is was recorded that the wound was dirty, had preforated the body, and the patient was restless and had pain in both knees. By the next day pain was severe in knees and his hip was painful and swollen. On the 21st hip had swollen further, and gas was now detected in muscles.

He died of his wounds on the 22nd, at 2.15 a.m., causes being being as the GSW to Right Buttock and Thigh, combined with gas gangrene. He was buried on the 25th October 1917 at 2 pm. He is stated to have no relatives in England.

 

“The deceased soldier was accorded a full Military Funeral, Firing Party, Buglers, Bearers and Gun Carriage being supplied by the Northumberland Fusiliers. The coffin was draped with the ‘Union Jack’ and surmounted by several lovely floral tributes. The ‘Last Post’ was sounded at the graveside. The service was conducted by the Rev. Kerr, Chaplain to the Hospital.”

 

A receipt for his memorial scroll was signed in June 1922 by an Isabella Foster. Isabella also signed for his Memorial Plaque in November 1922 and his Victory Medal in March 1923.

recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/Details...

 

War Diary excepts.

 

29th January 1917 received his first wound – a Gun Shot Wound to the “lower extremities”.

 

On the 24th January the 36th Battalion was relieved in the frontline trenches near Armentieres by the 34th Battalion. Small groups were detailed off for work parties over the next few nights, but by the 29th the Battalion was preapring and arranging relief of the 34th. It would seem unlikely in the circumstances that the 36th Battalion would have needed to send men forward to familiarise themselves with the area, having been there so recently, although officer groups may well have gone forward to arrange local handovers and be brought up to speed with local intelligence. Only the 36th Battalion specialists went into the line on the 30th, the rest on the Battalion exchanging with the 34th in the early hours of the 31st January.

 

In the appendices for the February 1917 Percy appears on a list of casualties outside the Divisional area and who were in hospital, and so were there struck off the strength of the Battalion. In Percys’ case this was effective 5th February 1917.

 

Second wounding – 21st July 1917, Gun Shot Wound to the forearm.

 

Ever since taking over the front line near Messines from the 34th Battalion on the 17th July, the 36th Battalion had been subject to heavy shelling. The 21st was no different.

“Enemy violently bombarding the whole of Area with Gas Shell commencing about 2.30 a.m., easing off at dawn; at 1.30p.m. heavily shelling right Company “D” and left Coy “C”. Our heavies bombarded KIWI Farm and the Windmill. Enemy aircraft very active.

 

At 12.30 a.m. we attacked enemy strong points near WARNETON ROAD; report attached.

 

(Neither the Report on the attack nor the last two weekly reports, which should have been dated 22nd & 29th respectively, appear to be with the war diary).

 

There appears to be a catch up in the August diary with the “Struck Off Minute” including Julys’ casualties, but there is no reference to Foster nor is anyone shown as promoted to Lance Corporal to replace him.

 

Third wounding – 12th October 1917, GSW to Right Buttock and Thigh.

 

The September 1917 War Diary shows Lance Corporal Foster rejoining the 36th Battalion on the 1st September and being posted to ‘A’ Company. He was promoted Corporal in ‘A’ Company on the 14th to take the place of a man who had been commissioned. The attack on the 12th October 1917 is covered by a separate appendix in the Battalion War Diary.

 

APPROACH MARCH.

The 36th. Battalion left CAVALRY CAMP at 7 p.m. on 11-10 1917. The Battalion marched in single file and the going up to the vicinity of POTSDAM was fair, at this point the enemy commenced shelling the route (Railway Line) from direction of BROOCKENBROODHOEK with whiz-bang 4.2 and Gas Shell. At point D.26.b.901/240 this Battalion met with its first casualties of the battle. Going then became slower, but as we had a lot of time in hand it caused no anxiety. Owing to Gas, Respirators had to be frequently used causing occasional breaks in the line, as the route was badly cut up by shell, positions being very boggy – so much so that many men had to pulled out who could not get out unaided. The tapes had all been blown away or mostly so, making caution as to direction necessary. From ZONNEBEKE Railway Station the shelling became heavier and at point D.16.d.60.25 it became a regular barrage aimed at route, and continued right up to tape. During the Approach March this Battalion had sustained over 100 casualtis including One Officer,

 

THE ASSEMBLY.

The Assembly was slow owing to the fact that the ground on left of Railway, and in rear of tape, was impassable even in daylight, causing the whole Brigade to move in single file; this added to the Boche barrage, which was particularly heavy about point D.17.c.23.86 was no doubt accountable for slowness. At 4-48 my leading Company commenced to file in. At this time a portion of 43rd Battalion (11th Brigade) together with some troops of the 4th Division began to move back along Railway line, making matters very difficult. I remained at Road Crossing D.17.c.23-86 keeping the men closed up and the other troops clear of them – this resulted in getting “B” “C” & “D” Companies in quickly. “A” Company, which was in reserve, got badly entangled with troops moving back, and at ZERO hour half of them only being in position – this portion I sent in rear of frontage. The remainder got up and into position during the wait at the RED line.

 

THE BATTLE.

At ZERO the assaulting troops were quickly off the tapes at fits lift of barrage; at ZERO plus 8 minutes the boche 5.9 barrage fell across the Cemetery and center of AUGUSTUS WOOD, his lighter stuff remaining on a line D.17.c.23.86 and the “T” in DAB TRENCH, falling back over SEINE and along the Railway line very heavily. The Boche 5.9 barrage was very heavy, the soft ground however limiting very much the effective zone of the burst, but even then casualties were very heavy, and the number of direct hits from shells was remarkable. The 34th Battalion moved on with the barrage, but the 35th and 36th Battalions had their hands full mopping up the dugouts which in all cases coming under my own personal observation were undamaged by our barrage. The first stick-up we had and the most serious was at a dug-out (Pill-box) at poing D.17.b.12.83 which held up portion of the 35th and 36th Battalions for an hour, and which resulted in many casualties. The portion of both Battalions engaged, doing excellent work, worked around the objective, which was proof against grenades; the stronghold surrendered on being surrounded resulting in capture of 6 machine Guns and 80 Boche, beside a good number killed in the fight. The RED line was reached to time, no other serious stick-up being experienced. On barrage lifting the 35th Battalion pressed on towards the BLUE line but had not gone far before they encountered a very heavy machine Gun barrage from direction of CREST FARM AND PASSCHENDAELE. The left Company of 35th Battalion was practically wiped out and my left Company filled the breach. There was no sign of 10th Brigade on our left.

 

The BLUE line was reached on our extreme left only, and by the time that point had been reached my Left Company had been very much reduced in numbers. I sent all available men forward from RED line together with what remained of Reserve Company to attempt capture of Green Line. Casualties were so heavy and our Reserve Companies all used up so that a further advance was impossible. I ordered the line then held to be consolidated and to be held pending reinforcements. Major Carr, the Senior Officer in the line decided that this was impossible in the face of the terrific Machine Gun fire and the heavy barrage which the Boche put down on the line from points just beyond the Green Line. After capture of RED line a few snipers gave trouble from AUGUSTUS WOOD until a party was detailed to go over and mop them up. They shot several of our stretcher-bearers. Major BUCHANAN was killed soon after leaving the RED Line during the fighting round TIBER COPSE where remnants of my Battalion had to assist 35th Battalion. Very little of “D” Company escaped the Machine Gun and Artillery Barrage at this point where iy was particularly heavy. Captain GOLDRICK reported at 9.30 that he was on BLUE Line at left of Brigade Sector, and in a very tight corner and unable to proceed further, the Reserve Company having by this time been absorbed in attack on Blue Line; soon after writing above GOLDRICK was wounded and handed over to Captain GADD. Reports continued to come in from front line troops that consolidation in face of heavy machine Gun fire Snipers and 5.9 barrage was impossible and that casualties were piling up at an alarming rate. During the afternoon Boche were seen in force on PASSCHENDAELE Road advancing on our flank and from the front ENLIST FARM & ECHO COPSE. At dusk Major CARR decided that it was impossible to hold on and a new line was formed from AUGUSTUS WOOD to intersection of PASSCHENDAELE ROAD and Railway in D.17.b. At dawn I ordered re-organization of the three Battalions in line which was done and 33rd Battalion moved back to reserve position. Consolidation was carried on with all despatch until relief.

 

Casualties.

Officers. 3 Killed, 1 Missing, 10 Wounded.

Other Ranks.

Killed & Missing 110 Approx. Wounded 290.

Lieutenant-Colonel J.A. Milne.

 

There is a picture of Percy and of the funeral on the Ipswich War Memorial website. www.ipswichwarmemorial.co.uk/percy-william-foster/

Done