Does anybody know the story of this family ? In Memory of Second Lieutenant JOHN FORSTER 2nd Bn., King's Royal Rifle Corps who died age 21 on 14 September 1914 Son of Mr. H.W. Forster, M.P. and the Hon. Mrs Forster, of 41 Hans Place, London. Remembered with honour LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL In Memory of Lieutenant ALFRED HENRY FORSTER 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) who died age 21 on 10 March 1919 Son of Henry William Forster, 1st Baron Forster of Lepe and Lady Rachel Cecily Forster (nee Douglas-Scott-Montagu). Remembered with honour EXBURY (ST. KATHERINE) CHURCHYARD Location - St John the Baptist Church Southend Physical Description - Chest Tomb, figure of man on top with eagle at his feet. Sides of tomb bear details of the deaths of John and Alfred and a dedication. Inscription - To the glory of god and in loving memory of their two sons John and Alfred who gave their lives for king and country in the Great War 1914 -1918 this monument is erected by Lord and Lady Forster of Lepe.
Here is their father ...... apparently he served in the war also ! Henry William Forster, 1st and last Baron Forster b. 31 January 1866, d. 15 January 1936 Wisden Cricketers' Almanack The monument which really catches the eye of the visitor is the Forster memorial bronze in the Memorial Chapel and this has the figure of Alfred Forster son of Lord Forster laying recumbent on the top, he was a Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys and died of his wounds at the end of the First World War While Forster was in hospital he became friends with a young sculptor called Cecil Thomas and when peace finally came Lord and Lady Forster the parents of Alfred commissioned Cecil to design a memorial to Alfred and his elder brother John who was also killed in WWI. This bronze memorial was so impressive that it was taken and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1924. The detail of the uniform is so well done that even the lacing of the boots can be seen.
Hi Annie, Now this is interesting being a local lad. St. John the Baptist Church is in Milton Road and a church that I have not been in for many a year, will have to pop in and have a look. Exactly opposite this church is a Catholic church where soldiers from that church are remembered with an individual glass in the windows of the church, including an Italian soldier that was a resident of the town before the war. The original altar was made by a parishioner who served in WW1 and died, living just around the corner to where I presently live. His family are now in Australia for which I did some research for a few years back digging up some items of interest from the local side of things. Andy
Hi Andy ! Glad you liked that !! ... I tend to talk to myself on here ...... I see things that look interesting ...... then a few months later I see something that answers my own question !! Let me know if you find out anything !! Annie
I too am interested in the Forster sons but from a slightly different angle. When their father was made a baron he was entitled to add supporters to his coat of arms. He chose a 2nd Lt of the KRRC and a Lt of the Royal Scots Greys. I know of no other example where a peer so explicitly remembers his two dead sons in such a way.
