Great War Military Cross Group to Second Lieutenant H Foster 1 Kings Liverpools

Military Cross - contemporarily  engraved - 2nd Lieut H Foster Liverpool Regt 

 

1914/15 Star correctly impressed - 19235 L. Cpl H. Foster. L'Pool R. ( very slight over stamping of 23 in service number)

 

Pair correctly impressed - Lieut H Foster

 

With full service papers on USB stick. 

 

Condition = GVF 

 

Harold Foster was born in Everton, with his family living at 86 Downing Road, Bootle. In civilian life, he was a Bank Clerk. Harold enlisted in Manchester on 7 Sept. 1914, aged 19. 

 

He landed on the Western Front in July 1915 with the 12th Bn of the Liverpool's and was promoted to Sergeant. He stayed with the Bn until January 1917, when he returned to the depot. On 9 Mar. 1917, he joined 7 Cadet Bn at Fermony and was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Bn Kind's Liverpool Regt. 

 

The war diary for the 6 Apr. 1918 noted that Foster was in charge of the left bombing block when the Germans occupied the King's front line during a large scale attack at Boisleux St Marc. For his bravery as a runner during the defence and counter-attack, Pte Counter of the 1st Bn was awarded the Victoria Cross. 

 

Foster himself would be decorated for bravery; his Military Cross was announced in the London Gazette on 15 Oct. 1918.

 

' For conspicuous gallantry and cool judgment on the occasion of a raid on enemy posts. Having previously made a daring reconnaissance, he led two detachments, on the right side of the raid, into position inside the enemy wire. When the barrage lifted, he rushed with his men onto the posts, securing prisoners and identification'. 

 

The raid had taken place on 14 Jul. 1918 at Ayette, Foster was slightly wounded in the raid and returned to the Bn from Hospital on 11 Aug. 1918. 

 

Foster was badly wounded during the attack on Orival Wood, Graincourt, on 27 Sept. 1918. He was hit by a high explosive shell which created a large wound in his left leg and caused a fracture of his Tibia. He was evacuated to England in early 1919, and upon arrival, it was discovered his wound had turned septic. His life and leg were saved by the Carrel - Dakin Method. 

 

He was discharged in February 1919.