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On offer are the original, full-size
First World War Medals
of
Cuthbert Foster
A Royal Air Force pilot, who was Mentioned in Despatches, and who was killed in action in September 1918, aged 19.
The British War Medal & Victory Medal
are correctly impressed
LIEUT. C. FOSTER. R.A.F.
They’re in superb (mint) condition, and in the original paper packets & named boxes of issue, with the original ribbons.
Cuthbert Foster was born in October 1898, and lived at 39 Walkern Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
After completing his education at Alleyne’s Grammar School, Stevenage, in 1915,
he began work as a clerk with Barclays Bank, in nearby Hitchin.
Shortly after his 18th birthday he volunteered for military service and joined the army, as a Private, in February 1917.
In November 1917 he was selected for a commission in the Royal Flying Corps, and soon began his pilot training.
During training he suffered two crashes - both of which he managed to survive.
He qualified as a pilot on the 27th February 1918 and was posted to No.88 Fighter Squadron, which had only recently been formed.
The Squadron was posted to France on the 16th April 1918.
The Squadron’s first base was Berques-Capelle – the first offensive operation being flown on the 26th April.
The Squadron moved to Drionville on the 19th July - and to Serny on the 2nd August.
Local newspaper reports state that during his time at the front, Cuthbert was credited with shooting down six enemy aircraft
and was responsible for damaging a great many more.
Although Squadron records indicate that he flew many types of aircraft, including the DH6, Sopwith Pup and BE12,
as well as the Bristol Fighter, there’s only one entry which credits him with a confirmed ‘kill’.
This was on the 4th September when he, and his Observer, Lieutenant B H Smyth, shot down a Fokker biplane over Seclin.
On the 27th September 1918, Cuthbert climbed aboard Bristol F2b fighter E2153, along with his observer,
Sergeant Thomas Proctor, from Belfast.
Along with four other fighters they were to escort bombers of No.103 Squadron on a mission.
During the flight they were attacked by a number of enemy aircraft and Cuthbert was seen to perform a double loop
whilst out-manoeuvring a German aircraft that was on his tail.
Having done this successfully, he was then seen flying very low and heading for the British lines.
It was assumed that his aircraft was suffering from engine trouble and that he was attempting to make his way back to base.
Sadly, neither Cuthbert, his observer, nor the aircraft were ever seen or heard of again.
They have no known grave andare commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.
With photocopied Service Papers, Commonwealth War Graves Commission details and other research.
Please take a look at my other medals currently on
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