Harold Stanley Foster OBE JP

[stripeyman]

A old friend has contacted me regarding his grandfather. He showed me his silver (hallmarked) identity bracelet which has his details on it.  His name, Royal flying Corps, his number 21327. He was born 1892 and died 23 Dec 1958. 

This is all we have of his service, I don't think he was an OR so he would have come from a line regiment, cavalry etc

Can anyone help please ?

[kenf48]

There is a record for a Henry Stanley Foster 21327 on FMP he was formerly a schoolmaster, father William nok address given as 638 Park Lane Bryn Wigan

if that is him previous service in the Royal Warwicks

Headlines

Image FMP RAF airman's records

[stripeyman]

Thank you Ken.

It is very difficult to read the writing. I see no mention of The Royal Warwicks but I see 96 Sqn and he was a Clerk. Having a silver bracelet leans towards him being not without funds, or his parents were not.

[kenf48]

On 21/10/2022 at 13:28, stripeyman said:

Thank you Ken.

It is very difficult to read the writing. I see no mention of The Royal Warwicks but I see 96 Sqn and he was a Clerk. Having a silver bracelet leans towards him being not without funds, or his parents were not.

He is also on the RAF Muster Roll  on FMP which gives enlistment date 23/2/1916.

His RFC and RAF Trade Classification was "Clerk (Pay)" and he held the rank of Ac/Sgt (paid) and on appointment to the RAF his new rank was Sgt.Clerk

His prior engagement was in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, his enlistment is shown as 1.10.12., which suggests a TF Battalion as his civilian occupation is given as "schoolmaster", his service with that Regiment ended when posted to the RFC on 23 February 1916.  His 'rank on discharge' is shown as "Cpl".  His next of kin is his father so we can assume he was unmarried.

An RAF specialist my put me right but I read his service in the RFC/RAF as:-

Enlisted Air Mechanic 2 23.2.1916

Appointed A/Corporal 25.3.1916

Reverted to A.M.2 1.5.16

Then appointed Temporary A/Cpl 3.5.16

Then reverted once again 22.6.16 (no reasons are given for this up down sequence)

Appointed Air Mechanic 1 or 1st AM 1.8.1916

Promoted to Corporal 1.4.17

Appointed A/Sgt 11.10.17

Appointed A/Sgt (paid) 1.12.17

Transferred to RAF on formation 1.4.1918 with the rank of Sgt Clerk

Appointed A/F/Clerk 1.9.18 which given the final entry I read as Acting junior commissioned officer

Promoted F(light) Lt Clerk 24.10.1918

He appeared before a medical board on the 4th January 1919 and was graded B1 (i.e. fit for garrison duty at home or abroad).  He was posted to the RAF Reserve a month later and apparently remained on the Reserve until 1927.  There was no entry in th casualty record which was destroyed and he does not appear to have served overseas with either the Warwicks, RFC or RAF.  The only movements shown were at RAF Wyton Cambridgeshire which was home to Training Squadrons.

Unfortunately his Army number is not recorded. There was no TF Battalion of the Warwicks at Wigan (Manchester Rgt).  The 1911 Census shows he was living with his parents at the above address give for his nok.

 

 

 

 

[stripeyman]

That is absolutely splendid. I went round to Roger Dandridge his grandson yesterday. He looked it up on his tablet and will now print it for his family records.  He says thank you for all this has I did not know.