The panel memorials at Holy Trinity Church show William Forster, Boy 1st Class lost on HMS “Hampshire”. There is no record of such a Boy being lost with the Royal Navy at any time during 1914-1918. There is however a record of Boy 1st Class Edward Foster being drowned in the loss of the Hampshire, but just who this casualty was remains rather uncertain.
The Royal Navy has details of his birth as 6th March 1899 at Walthamstow. This could correspond with Percy Edward Foster who in 1911 was aged 11, born in Walthamstow, and living as an orphan in the West Ham Union Scattered Homes. Romford Road, Forest Gate. However the Census suggests he was born at the start of 1901.
His naval record shows Edward Foster came to the service from the Industrial Training Ship “Mount Edgcumbe” which was moored at Saltash Cornwall. This provided a home for destitute children or those in need of steering away from crime or ‘bad company’.
Edward Foster declared to the Navy that his next of kin was his cousin Alice Baird, 26 Alexandra Road Wanstead (off Hermon Hill), who was contacted on his death. This was the home of Thomas (Travelling Print Salesman) and Ada Baird. Alice does not seem to be their daughter, and her true identity also remains unconfirmed.
Edward entered the Royal Navy on 8th February 1915 as a Boy 2nd Class in the training ship “Impregnable” at Devonport. He stood at just under 5ft 2 inches tall. Classed as a Bugler, he became a Boy 1st Class on 13th May 1915, and on 14th may 1915 joined HMS “Hampshire”. On 06-03-17 he was due to begin a 12 year engagement as an adult member of the service.
On 5th June 1916 HMS “Hampshire” left Scapa Flow in a gale, sailing on the western side of the Orkneys. It was taking Lord Kitchener and his staff to a meeting at Archangel with the Russian Government to discuss the eastern front. Unknown to those on board, during the night of 28/29 May 1916 Kapitanleutnant Curt Beitzen in the U75 had laid a number of mines along this route. Because of bad weather the area had not recently been swept for mines.
At approx.18.40 “Hampshire” hit a mine between Marwick Head and the Brough of Birsay which caused major damage. It took just 15 minutes for “Hampshire” to sink in the heavy seas. Among the 655 lost was Edward Foster. He was later recovered from the sea and so has a grave on land.
On Holy Trinity Church Panels he is listed as William Forster.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
FindmyPast.co.uk
Service Records