Royal Fusilier Uniform - 2 AB War - William Foster

[Sue1]

My Grandfather fought in this war - he was a Royal Fusilier reservist all his life and only joined the regulars when there was a war.
He was 18 in 1899 and off he went but when he got to South Africa, presumably because he was an accomplished horseman, he was transferred to the Royal Imperial Light Horse (I have asked for a picture of this uniform elsewhere) - he was repatriated in 1901 injured - his horse fell on him in battle and broke his leg - at Vryborg I think. I have photos of him in WWI RF uniform (not dress uniform but not field uniform - probably no.2s) and I have a photo of him in Home Guard uniform in WW2 (he was killed in Home Guard in a mills bomb accident on Salisbury Plain).

I would be very grateful if anyone could print a photo of the Royal Fusilier Uniform for the time or, if not, could point me to a place where I can copy one.

Sue

[FROGSMILE]

Hello Sue,

These are the best pictures of the Royal Fusiliers full dress uniform and badges of his time that I can find, although note that the crowns on the fur cap grenades that I have posted are the later type for King Edward VII.

The smaller group photo is of particular interest as it shows pretty much all of the uniforms worn at home around the time of the Boer War.

To your eyes they probably look like Guardsmen. Indeed the officers did wear a bearskin cap and it is generally not well known that the fusiliers wore fur caps, as a whole unit, long before the guards did. The soldiers caps at the time of your gf were smaller than bearskins and made of racoon skin (see enclosed photo). Unlike the guards the fusiliers wore a grenade shaped badge on the front of their caps.

[Albert J]

Hi Sue,

Should your source for the Imperial Light Horse uniform fail to materialize, here is a pic of a rare drab serge frock from my collection worn by a Captain. The rank and file frock would have been similar, minus the breast pockets (1899 serge frock) in some cases. Also worn was the two pocket 1896 pattern khaki drill frock during more temperate months. Further, most if not all the ILH wore the felt slouch hat as opposed to the cork/wicker foreign service helmet, though photos exist of some officer's in camp wearing the FS helmet.

Hope this helps,
James

[jf42]

The smaller group photo is of particular interest as it shows pretty much all of the uniforms worn at home around the time of the Boer War.

A great photo, Frogsmile. Particularly interesting to see both the Sergeant Major in an atypical combination of khaki drill with the old 1880 forage cap and what look like unblacked canvas gaiters, and the officer with flat forage cap, worn with red patrol jacket and gaiters. To what orders of dress did those outfits conform, I wonder?

Who is the cove with a bicycle and bandolier in blue tunic, pantaloons and puttees and wearing a Torin cap? Is he from a local Volunteer Bn?

[FROGSMILE]

The smaller group photo is of particular interest as it shows pretty much all of the uniforms worn at home around the time of the Boer War.

A great photo, Frogsmile. Particularly interesting to see both the Sergeant Major in an atypical combination of khaki drill with the old 1880 forage cap and what look like unblacked canvas gaiters, and the officer with flat forage cap, worn with red patrol jacket and gaiters. To what orders of dress did those outfits conform, I wonder?

Who is the cove with a bicycle and bandolier in blue tunic, pantaloons and puttees and wearing a Torin cap? Is he from a local Volunteer Bn?

Yes it is an unusual picture. All the group are from the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) around 1902-03 (ergo the CSgts white cross belt, whistle and chain). The photo (subsequently hand coloured) was clearly intended to show the diversity of dress and roles within the battalion, perhaps as a recruiting aid.

The Sergeant Major appears to be in the first pattern of 1902 SD and wearing a staff cap pending the issue of its replacement in 1905-06. The official head dress when in the field with SD was the slouch hat and in barracks the forage cap. For R&F this latter was the Brodrick Cap and for Staff the Staff Cap.

Orders of dress on display include Field Day Order, Review Order, Musketry Order, Marching Order and Drill Order.

The chap in the blue tunic is a member of the Cyclist 'Section' (in the 8 company period, the strength of what we now call a platoon and under a Sgt). Regular battalions were required to maintain both MI and Cyclist Sections at that time, but VBs just the latter. For practicalities connected with stowage the cyclists generally wore either the Torin or 2 button flap version Austrian pattern Field Caps.

Interestingly the officer third from right appears to have the new forage cap, which was issued to the officers in 1902, but did not reach ORs until 1905-06. I suspect this was because of the financial cuts imposed on the War Office as a result of the unexpectedly (hugely) expensive 2nd Boer War (plus ca change!).

[SWB]

Hello Sue

Thanks for posting - interesting chap.

I am collecting unrecorded casualties for my website http://www.boerwarregister.com, and he is not recorded in the Official Casualty rolls.

Do you have his medals, I am interested to know if his King's South Africa medal is named to the RF or the ILH?

From the medal rolls it appears his KSA is named to the RF which is somewhat odd as he took his discharge from the RF in South Africa to enlist (not transfer) in the ILH.

His service papers mention he broke his leg "in the field" - do you have any documentation with the date and place? He does not appear to have been repatriated in 1901 as he was awarded the KSA which indicates he served in 1902 - he was discharged from the ILH in July 1902. Unless, he came home and went back out, there is nothing on the medal to indicate this.

Now his Home Guard service- Lt W Foster 7th Wiltshire (Salisbury) Bn. GC,MC,DCM - awarded the GC for "in recognition of most conspicous gallantry in carring out hazardous work in a very brave manner." Is this the event that killed him?

Also his MC and DCM must be from WW1 - more research to do but it is dinner time!

Regards
Meurig

[Sue1]

What a fantastic response from all of you. I now have pictures of all the uniforms requested - the RF uniforms are rather spectacular I have to say - the ILH chap is said to be wearing a Captains uniform but I will promote my grandfather for this pictures - he was only a L/Corporal or ?Sergeant at the end of the AB2 War!

Now, to answer some questions posed.

Meurig: Looking at the 2ILH record I have his No. as 1946 and above "Attestation on Re-engagement. The oath was taken at Heilbron ORC on 15th February 02 - he was a Sergeant - it looks as if he did go back - I hadn't realised this. To the question "Have you ever served in His Majesty's army etc" the answer was "ILH still serving". Originally he attested in Cape Town on 11th January 1901. At the bottom it says (date 8 July 1901) - Cause of Discharge: medically unfit, transferred to superny list. Length of service: 1 year 78 days. Discharged to 14 Woodstock Road, Finsbury Park, London.
Medical: 1. Station: Kimberley, 2. Regt: 2nd ILH, Reg No and rank: Sgt W Foster, No. 1946. Enlisted 24 February 1900 London.
This part of the document is dated 30 July 1902. He had served 2 years 5 months. Service England: 24.2.1900 - 2 April 1900
South Africa: 1 May 1900. Disease or Disability: Fracture of tibia (right). Cause of disability: Fracture caused by horse falling on him whilst on service near Vryburg. Court of Inquiry held July 3 1901. Opinions: "on duty, sober - it may interfere with his future effectiveness as a soldier" Put to half pay for 12 months. It was proposed he be discharged. I am afraid that is it - there is no further information BUT I have the following from the ILH Book I found on anc.co - page 64: Previous service 2nd btn, 7th RF 2.1.00 - 5.11.00. Page 65 (it continued across top of page) Reg No [G in red] 1946 Foster William Sgt. Att: PMB 8.8.01 [in red 11.1.01 followed by unreadable word/letter]. Discharged: PMB TE.
This is absolutely all I have. If you want a copy I can E-mail but will have to get it reduced before I do so - size of actual military record is A2 (I think). The ILH booklet is normal size or smaller than real life. I was unaware he had come home and then gone back if that is indeed what he did.

I do not have his medals - his wife in her grief threw all but the GC (which probably hadn't been awarded at that stage) into the dustbin - she didn't want medals, she wanted her husband. As far as I know they have not been found nor do I know if anyone has ever looked. His medal ribbons have recently been found (within last four months and obviously not showing GC) plus a couple of small bore marksmanship medals - he shot for the RFs I understand. I also understand that all his medals were attributed to him as a Royal Fusilier - I have no idea if the protocol is unusual in this case.
The event in the Home Guard is the one which killed him. He was a weapons instructor. He was instructing a group of about 30 when a Mills bomb thrown by one of those being instructed rebounded back into the throwing area - Lt Foster threw himself on the bomb - no one else was injured. His GC was awarded to my grandmother posthumously in, I think, January 1943 by King George VIth
MID was from WWI at, as far as I know, the Somme or Retreat from Mons (are Mons and Somme the same thing?? - sorry for ignorance).
DCM - also Somme - have Gazette reference no somewhere.
MC - St. Elois Craters which is, I think, near the Menin Road and in the Ypres Salient. I have the War Diary of what happened here and he is mentioned.

Happy to answer questions on this chap, my grandfather, who I never met but who fascinates me. Will try now to attach a uniform picture from WWI but don't hold your breath - if it didn't appear I didn't succeed.

Thank you all once again. Sue

[Sue1]

William Foster

Foster William - WWI better picture.JPG (39.92 KiB) Viewed 972 times

WWI picture - bottom right hand corner says France 1918 - I had not realised he went back there after his injuries.
Will try and add ribbons separately so that I don't lose this one!

Sue

[FROGSMILE]

He appears to have been commissioned as an officer in WW1 Sue. It will be interesting to find out in which battalion he served between 1914-18. You can read about the battalions and use an integral research link here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/83637750/WW1-Royal-Fusiliers although I do not know how good the latter is.

The Retreat from Mons and the Somme are separate, but very significant actions, the first in 1914 and the second in July 1916 through till September. The 4th Battalion RF, in particular, played a key part during the retreat from Mons and a recent VC sale was originally awarded to a Sgt Godley, of that battalion.

The MC could only be awarded to warrant officers (broadly 'sergeant majors') and officers, and was intended as a medal for gallantry/bravery at the junior leadership level. It might be that he was a WO when awarded the MC and later became an officer. Further research should indicate whether this was so.

Turning to WW2, he was a brave man indeed to throw himself on the grenade, having only a few seconds to decide what to do. He was almost certainly the responsible officer in the throwing bay and was thus responsible for safety (a task I am familiar with). We can only imagine what went through his mind, but I imagine it was a mixture of his responsibility as the senior instructor on the spot and perhaps a brief reflection that by sacrificing his life he was preserving some younger men for the fight for National survival. Contrary to popular perception quite a large number of the Home Guard were young men.

[Sue1]

I have reason to believe he was a Reservist for quite a long time - from young adulthood - he was born in Forton Barracks (not at sea as it frequently written) and joined a new (I think Fusilier - but could be wrong) Reservist group being formed at Parkhurst IOW. I don't know his rank in the reservists when he went of to 2ABWar (he was a Trooper ending up as a Sgt by the end of his time with ILH) but by WWI he was a CSMQuartermaster and I think used as such when he enlisted with the regulars..

I have the ciations somewhere (the whereabouts of "somehwere" escapes me at the moment but will find them). From an excerpt from the GC Association (some of which I do not agree with) the dates for his awards and his whereabouts are:

His reserve btn was 3rd Vol Btn RF - by this time the family had moved to London.
1914 enlisted for regular service as CSM 3rd City of London Btn, London Regt, RF
1914-16 served in France and Belgium with 4th Btn RF. 1915 Mid; June 1915 awarded DCM, 8 March 1916.
8 March 1916 promoted to 2Lt. 31 March 1916 wounded; May 1916 MC action with 3btn RF. - the 3rd Btn was within the 9th Brigade (from portion of War Diary which I have).
Aug 1916 Lt; ASC, T/Capt asst instructor, riding and horsemanship.
Oct/Nov 1916 T/Maj instr with British Military Mission, Washington
15 October 1917-11 November 1918 France and Belgium
RQMS; RSM; 30 Aug instr duty ceased. Retired with the Rank of Captain and went back to his clerical work with GNR in London and then, after moving to Wiltshire, worked at the NAAFFI HQ in a clerical capacity.
Special Constable 1926 for duration of General Strike.

I tried to add the ribbons but could not - size needed altering and that is beyond my skills! All his SA medals (2 I think) were definitely ascribed to him as a RF.

I now know that your Avatar is a RF cap badge - I thought it was a fire! I would like to add an Avatar (HCR) and will work on this, hopefully not banjaxing the whole site doing so!

I probably should not put the citations on here as we are now into the realms of WWI - did you want me to send them to you?

Sue

[FROGSMILE]

I have reason to believe he was a Reservist for quite a long time - from young adulthood - he was born in Forton Barracks (not at sea as it frequently written) and joined a new (I think Fusilier - but could be wrong) Reservist group being formed at Parkhurst IOW. I don't know his rank in the reservists when he went of to 2ABWar (he was a Trooper ending up as a Sgt by the end of his time with ILH) but by WWI he was a CSMQuartermaster and I think used as such when he enlisted with the regulars..

I have the ciations somewhere (the whereabouts of "somehwere" escapes me at the moment but will find them). From an excerpt from the GC Association (some of which I do not agree with) the dates for his awards and his whereabouts are:

His reserve btn was 3rd Vol Btn RF - by this time the family had moved to London.
1914 enlisted for regular service as CSM 3rd City of London Btn, London Regt, RF
1914-16 served in France and Belgium with 4th Btn RF. 1915 Mid; June 1915 awarded DCM, 8 March 1916.
8 March 1916 promoted to 2Lt. 31 March 1916 wounded; May 1916 MC action with 3btn RF. - the 3rd Btn was within the 9th Brigade (from portion of War Diary which I have).
Aug 1916 Lt; ASC, T/Capt asst instructor, riding and horsemanship.
Oct/Nov 1916 T/Maj instr with British Military Mission, Washington
15 October 1917-11 November 1918 France and Belgium
RQMS; RSM; 30 Aug instr duty ceased. Retired with the Rank of Captain and went back to his clerical work with GNR in London and then, after moving to Wiltshire, worked at the NAAFFI HQ in a clerical capacity.
Special Constable 1926 for duration of General Strike.

I tried to add the ribbons but could not - size needed altering and that is beyond my skills! All his SA medals (2 I think) were definitely ascribed to him as a RF.

I now know that your Avatar is a RF cap badge - I thought it was a fire! I would like to add an Avatar (HCR) and will work on this, hopefully not banjaxing the whole site doing so!

I probably should not put the citations on here as we are now into the realms of WWI - did you want me to send them to you?

Sue

This is very interesting and one of those difficult areas where his service spans both Victorian service and confict and WW1. As he served in both the RF and ILH during the tail end of the 2nd AB War, hopefully the mods will allow it.

He initially joined a Rifle Volunteer unit that in 1881 had become a Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. Unlike the Militia Battalions, these VBs had a weekly commitment to attend training, as opposed to the annual fortnight (only) undergone by the Militia. It is an interesting aspect that it was often the middle classes (all stratas) who joined the VBs and the working class who joined the Militia. This is because the Militia was better suited to men who often had to move around as part of their employment pattern, such as seasonal farm workers. It allowed them an annual escape at training camp whilst at the same time paying them an annual, cash retainer for membership.

In 1908 the Territorial Force was formed and the RF lost their VBs to a new, stand alone London Regiment. But they kept their RF cap badges (each battalion of the London Regiment had its own badge, a unique arrangement) and the RF still provided them with their instructors so in reality it was a kind of semi-detached relationship. By July 1916 it was plain that such an arrangement was not working well and all the battalions of the London Regiment were returned to their original affiliations with the Regular regiments, thus returning the 3rd City of London Btn, London Regt, RF formally, to the regimental fold.

From the London Regiment he then seems to have served with two Regular battalions, first the 4th and then the 3rd. Their lineage and movements can be seen here: http://rrflondon.2day.ws/siteFiles/file ... 371704.pdf and it is clear that the 4th Battalion were at Parkhurst IOW in 1914 and brought up to strength there by reservists such as your gf, who would have been viewed as a valuable asset with his long experience and experience of conflict.

Note: One has to be careful not to confuse the 3rd and 4th Battalions RF (Regulars), with the 3rd and 4th Battalions London Regiment (Territorials), who were also badged as RF. Misunderstanding of this often leads to mix ups. http://www.scribd.com/doc/83637750/WW1-Royal-Fusiliers

His subsequent movement to the American Military Mission is typical and it was common that older soldiers (NCOs) and officers who were either recovering from wounds or just getting a bit long in the tooth for trench conditions were combed out to go and assist with training the huge numbers of recruits being raised for the American Army in their home States. Both British and French instructors were sent to help with such matters as machine gun training, bombing (grenade throwing) trench mortars and physical training with a strong slant towards bayonet fighting. Your gf would have been seen as ideal for this role.

From what you have said I think he might well then have travelled to France with the advanced AEF elements to continue his assistance until the US Army no longer required them. If not then there is a whole new avenue to research regarding his ASC activities from 1917 until Nov 1918.

With regard to the citations I have sent you a PM with my contact details.

[SWB]

Hello Sue

Thanks for these extra details - splendid picture.

I have been puzzling over his WW1 Medal Index Card when your last post popped in.

The only W Foster awarded a DCM for the RF in WW1 is CSM 12391 WG Foster 4th Bn RF.

The MIC for WG Foster shows he was commissioned awarded MC & DCM. One of his contact addresses his 703 15th St, Washington DC (I was confused - not any more!).

Now, on the MIC his first names are given as "Walter George" - do you have any idea why?

Regards
Meurig

[Sue1]

Hi Meurig,

Have another picture of him in different uniform (slightly I think) and HG uniform but size does not allow me to add them.
The recently found medal ribbons I also tried to put on (they reflect the SA medals I am told) but again re-sizing defeated me!
I will take the liberty of sending them to Frogsmile and ask if he would kindly put them on (sorry Frogsmile!)
The same applies to the citations for MID, DCM, and MC. I could give the Gazette issues/pages though if useful.

I just don't know how he came to be Walter Gordon on his MIC. I think the Walter Gordon looks as though it was added later. The army no. is definitely correct. He is referred to as Walter Gordon in the War Diary on one occasion. His birth certificate says he was William and nothing else although he is often mentioned as William George (his father was George but also his eldest brother had this as his first name). I think it is something I will never know. Apparantly there was no Walter Gordon Foster of the same rank and details in the RF at the same time and the number of course is the clincher. His medals were ascribed as William Foster with correct army no I am told.

The picture I added, until I saw France at the bottom, I had supposed to be a Boer War Picture because of what I thought were "riding boots". Clearly they were not.

There is no one, family wise, alive who remembers him so I am unable to question anyone for further details.
Interestingly, the GC society contacted me a couple of weeks ago asking if I had the Gazette no. for the MC as they didn't have it and I think I have managed to give them the correct one - I was unable, however, to prove it was the MC citation (the date was correct) because I couldn't navigate backwards on the pages of the site for some reason.
Did you want a copy of the ILH entry in their book showing WFs service and discharge. Nowhere that I can find is there any information on which battles he would have fought in in SA. Pietermaritzburg is mentioned and I think that is in Natal - Vrybourg is also mentioned (he was injured near there) and I suspect that is in the Orange Free State.

Sue

[Sue1]

The Citations for MC, DCM and MID

Military Cross Supplement to London Gazette 16.5.1916 p4929

2nd Lt (temp Cptn) Walter Gordon Foster, 4th btn, R. Fus.
"conspicuous gallantry and determination. Though wounded, he continued to lead his men till overcome by loss of blood some eight hours later. 23.4.1916

Distinguished Conduct Medal For conspicuous zeal and devotion to duty - 12.6.1915 (London Gazette details not known)

Mentioned in Dispatches Supplement to London Gazette 17.2.1915 p1660
4th Btn R.Fus
No. 12391 Act. CSM W.G. Foster
[doesn't say why or what he did]

Sue

[SWB]

Hello Sue

Many thanks for the extra information, it may be that the MIC card is incorrect in respect of the Walter/William.

I have the details from (National Archives document class) WO127 - the discharge book for the ILH.

I can help with the battles etc., it won't be much - the British Army was fighting a guerilla war at this stage and the histories are incomplete; lots of skirmishes, very few "pitched" battles.

I'll be in touch.

Regards
Meurig