Bombardier Eric Charles Foster is serving in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces and was born in Woolton 28th October 1888.

In 1901 Eric aged 12 living in Quarry St with father Thomas a farmer (born Sedburg Yorkshire) and mother Mary with 7 brothers and 5 sisters

In 1911 Eric living with his father Thomas a farmer and Cowkeeper and Eric aged 22 assisting his father in the business. Eric living with his mother Mary and sisters Constance E aged 26, Lucy A aged 24, Jessie aged 20, Mary Winifred aged 17, and brothers James M aged 32, and Richard A aged 18. The family living at Newstead Farm Woolton.

A building called Newstead Farm in Quarry St Woolton near Beaconsfield Road 2019.

According to the Auckland Museum Cenotaph record Mother Mrs. M Foster (9 Woolton St , Woolton)  Eric on 8^th January 1916 embarked from Wellington N Z on the Vessel Maungaui to Suez Egypt.

From Commonwealth War Graves Commission Eric son of Mary Foster of “Homeside” Mossely Hill and late Thomas Foster native of Woolton.

According to Eric Charles Foster history sheet attached to Lewis gun school 11th August 1918, Rejoined unit 24th August 1918, promoted to Bombardier 22nd August 1918.

Eric serial 11/2096 and served in 2nd Bde New Zealand Field Artillery killed in action on 18th September 1918 aged 29.

Eric is Remembered with honour, Rocquigny – Equancourt Road British Cemetery Manancourt France in the Somme region

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