Foster, William Rigby (Junior)

Lieutenant William Rigby Foster Junior

was born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England in 1898 to William Rigby Foster, Merchant and Clare Mary Foster nee Cowan. William was a twin to Robert C Foster.

The 'Nottinghamshire Guardian' of 17th September 1892 reported the marriage of William and Mary on 8th inst.. Williams grandfather, also William Rigby Foster died in December 1893.

In 1901 William (3) is living in 17 Burford Road, Nottingham with his parents and siblings; Marjorie (7) and Robert (3). Fanny Swift, a servant is also living in the property.

By 1910 the family had moved from England to the north of Ireland.  

The LennonWylie website records the following for both boys:

ENTRANCES IN JANUARY 1910

1108. *Foster, William Rigby (E), b. 20th September, 1897, son of W. Rigby Foster, Cricklewood, Cherry Valley Park, Belfast. Brother of 1109. Shell, July, 1912. Great War: Lieut., R. Irish Rifles. Northern Ireland Civil Servant. Address: 5 Waterloo Gardens, Antrim Road, Belfast. (M.)

1109. *Foster, Robert Cowan (E), b. 20th September, 1897, son of W. Rigby Foster, Cricklewood, Cherry Valley Park, Belfast. Brother of 1108. Shell, July, 1912. Queen's University. M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., 1925. Great War: Lieut., Hampshire Regt. R.N. Surgeon Commander. Address: c/o Medical Dept., Admiralty, Whitehall, London, W.1. (M.) (1938 address: and Royal Naval Hospital, Bermuda. (M.q.))

The 1911 census records William as living in house 18, Cherryvalley Park, Belfast with his parents and 2 siblings, Marjorie Sefton and Robert Cowan. A servant, Margaret Stewart is also living in the property.

William would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1915. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and his address in the bank ledger is recorded as Ailsa, Holywood Road, Belfast.  

W R Foster - Bankers Guarantee ledger page

William  worked in Castleblayney branch.

Belfast Bank, Castleblayney branch

This photo is from the Belfast Banking Company 1918 property register. Would the young lad be William?

William in the doorway of Castleblayney branch?

William volunteered and enlisted into the 11th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. The Northern Whig of 29th August 1916 records the promotion of William Rigby Foster to 2nd Lieutenant. He was later promoted to Lieutenant. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 15th September 1916. His Medal Index card records his address as 237 Holywood Road, Belfast.

W R Foster - Medal Index Card

William was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

In 1918, the family attended Knock Presbyterian Church. William (as Rigby) and his brother Robert (as Roy) are commemorated on the Knock Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour. The Eddies Extract website records Rigby as wounded and Roy as twice wounded.

Knock Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour / War Memorial
(photos courtesy of Nigel Henderson)

There is no record of whether William re-joined the bank. The LennonWylie website records a Wm Rigby Foster, civil servant living at 5 Waterloo Gardens, Belfast in 1943.

The 'Northern Whig' of 18th February 1946 records the death of Annie M Foster, wife of William R Foster, 212 Ballysillan Road, Belfast.

William's father, William Rigby Foster, retired sales manager died on 8th November 1954 at the Royal Victoria Hospital leaving his estate to William Rigby Foster, civil servant.

W R Foster (father) - London Probate