Buildings Farm, Crawcrook, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Civilian Employment:
Postman (former assistant in Wright's Chemist's shop at Crawcrook).
How Died:
Killed in action
Date of Death:
Wednesday 7th February 1945
Place of Death:
Germany
Battle/Campaign:
Undertaking air operations.
Locally Commemorated:
-
UK Commemorated:
Hookergate School, Highfield, Co. Durham (surname given as Forster).
Allendale Church, Lytch Gate Memorial, Northumberland.
Overseas Commemorated:
-
Buried:
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
Decoration and Medals:
1939-45 Star. Air Crew Europe Star.
War Medal.
Photographs:
0
Service Records:
No
Death Notice/Obituary:
Family Details:
Son of George William and Ethel Foster. Husband of Marion Eunice Foster, of Shepherds Bush, London.
Brother: Milton.
Notes :
Charles was educated at Emmaville and Ryton schools, and then Hookergate Secondary school. On leaving school he was employed for a time at Wright's Chemist, Main Street, Crawcrook. The family left Crawcrook pre war to work a small farm in Northumberland. Apart from working on the farm he was also employed as a postman for the district of Allendale. After enlisting in the RAF at the outbreak of war he was accepted to train as a Fighter Pilot. The initial training was done in mock up cockpits, but the instructors soon realised that he was too tall at six feet six inches to fit into a fighter plane cockpit. He was transferred to Sunderland flying boats and after his passing out, he went on to Coastal Command duties. After a while he transferred to Bomber Command where he completed many operational flying duties up until his death.
Whilst serving with the RAF he met and married his wife who was serving with the Women's Royal Air Force as an Administration Operative, in London.
Sources Used:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register.
Information from family members.
