John James Forster (1892-1917)
From Benwell served with 18th DLI commemorated at Arras
John was born on 13 July 1892 in Benwell, the eldest of the two sons of James and Ann Forster. He was baptised on 24 August 1892 at Benwell. In 1903 the family were living in 69 Maughan Street, Benwell. Between 1903 and 1906 John attended Canning Street Senior School, Benwell leaving to attend the Elswick Institute. In 1911 the family had moved to Council School House, Back Mitford Street, Elswick where his father was a school caretaker.
John was a junior clerk in a cooperative store. In October 1914 John signed on and was passed fit for active service. He joined the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI) and was given the service number 18/1058. Whilst on a field operation in Ripon, he was sentenced to seven days confinement in barracks for ‘conduct prejudicial to good order and military disclipline’.
In December 1915 he was posted to Egypt and then in March 1916 arrived in France. In February 1917 he was treated for a gunshot wound to the back. John was killed in action on 3 May 1917.
Birth date: 13-Jul-1892
Death date: 03-May-1915
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 69 Maughan Street, Benwell (1901 census)
38 Neville Street, Benwell (1903-1906)
Council School House, Mitford Street, Elswick (1911 census)
Education: South Benwell School
Canning Street Senior School, Benwell (16-Nov-1903 – 15-Jan-1906)
Elswick Institute
Employment: Junior clerk in a cooperative store
Family: Father: James Forster (b.1862)
Mother: Ann Forster (b.1865)
Brother: Albert (b.1895)
Military service:
Attested 8 October 1914
Embarked for Egypt 6 December 1915
Embarked for France 5 March 1916
Wounded January 1917 and February 1917
Killed in Action May 1917
Medal(s): 1914-1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Arras Memorial
Gender: Male
Contributed by Harold P, Durham
