Private 4969

1^st/4^th Bn. Suffolk Regt.

Died 14^th January 1917.

Grave ref. 0. 1V M. 8 St. Sever Cemetery Extension Rouen, Seine-Maritime France.

Jesse Alfred Foster was born in 1900 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, son of Henry Samuel Foster, a general labourer and Sarah Emma Foster. In 1901 the family are living at Attercliffe, Sheffield and a brother named John Henry born about 1897 at Lambley, Notts is also listed.

By 1911 his parents had moved to Albert Avenue, Jacksdale and a further brother Walter aged 3 is mentioned.  Jesse's father, Henry is now employed as a colliery blacksmith.

Jesse is mentioned on his parent's grave as killed in France on 26th December 1917, aged 17 years.  His father Henry died in 1946 and his mother Sarah in 1948.

As yet, we have been unable to find a soldier named J.A. Foster on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Site with an exact  date of death of 26th December 1917.   We therefore feel it is most likely to be J A Foster, Private 4969, 1st/4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment, who died on Sunday 14th January 1917.

A Henry Foster is listed on the 1915 Electoral Roll living at 29, Pye Hill, Jacksdale, who may well have been Jesse’s father.  Enquiries are ongoing and we would welcome any further information about this serviceman or his family.

 Last Updated 19th April 2009