The Foster Brothers:
Born to William Albert and Mariam Niles (née Jones) Foster, the following biographies detail their three serving sons, the "The Fighting Fosters of Hillier":
(Left) 636014 Pte. Norman James Foster was born in Bloomfield, Prince Edward County, Ontario, on 4th September 1897. A farmer by trade, he attested into the 155th (Quinte) Battalion in Picton, Prince Edward County, on November 30th, 1915, and was transferred to the 4th CMR on November 29th, 1916. Norman survived the war, married Anna Clark in 1930 and passed away in late 1991.
(Middle) 1027522 Pte. Canniff Ross Foster was born in Hallowell, Prince Edward County, Ontario, in February 1895. Also a farmer by trade, Canniff attested into the 235th BN in Belleville, Ont., on November 23rd, 1916, two days before he married Helen Gilbert, and was subsequently transferred to the 4th CMR on February 28th, 1918. He died on April 20th, 1918, near Loos. Canniff lies in rest at Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas De Calais, France.
(Right) 636022 L/Cpl. Sherman Theodore Foster, DCM was twin to Norman, and therefore also born in Bloomfield, Prince Edward County, Ontario, on 4th September 1897. A farmer like his brothers, Sherman attested with Norman into the 155th (Quinte) Battalion in Picton, Prince Edward County, on November 30th, 1915. He too was transferred to the 4th CMR on November 29th, 1916, survived the war, married Eva Denike in 1926 and passed away in 1969.
In June 1918 Sherman was awarded the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal), the citation for which reads as follows:
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as battalion runner. He repeatedly carried messages to and from a captured position in face of extremely heavy rifle and machine gun fire. After three messengers had been killed he succeeded in getting messages through to the advanced troops at a critical time. He did splendidly."
The three brothers had four other siblings: Kathleen Winnifred b.1891, Madeline Lillian b.1892, Rowena Mabel b.1900, and Walter b.1907.
Please click on the picture for a larger image.
Image credit: Art Hubbs. Brief biographies with thanks to David Kavanagh.