3775980 Private Francis FOSTER, 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders: 25/09/1944

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by CL1, Sep 25, 2010.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Remembering Today

    Casualty Details | CWGC
    3775980 Private FRANCIS FOSTER
    2nd Bn., Gordon Highlanders
    who died age 28
    on 25 September 1944
    Son of William Foster, and of Margaret A. Foster, of Doncaster, Yorkshire.
    Remembered with honour MIERLO WAR CEMETERY
    Grave Reference: IV. F. 2.
    Location: Netherlands
    Additional Info: Son of William Foster, and of Margaret A. Foster, of Doncaster, Yorkshire.
    Personal Inscription: ALWAYS I FEEL YOU NEAR BUT GOD ALONE KNOWS THAT I SHED MANY A TEAR. LOVING MOTHER



    Gordon Highlanders - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
     
  2. WhiskeyGolf

    WhiskeyGolf Senior Member

    RIP Pvt Francis Foster :poppy:
     
  3. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    25th September 1944, 2nd Gordons of 15th Scottish Division saw them carrying out a vain attempt to capture the Brickyards and rail line, at Best, Holland. 32 Highlanders were killed that day.
     
  4. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    Best, Brick yard, Photos and casualty list. Taken from, Best, Occupied and Liberated by C.B.J van den Biggelaar.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Aerial View MIERLO WAR CEMETERY
    (drag peg man for street view)
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Map of Best
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Pieter F

    Pieter F Very Senior Member

    Overview picture of Mierlo War Cemetery:

    [​IMG]
     
  8. paultrench

    paultrench Junior Member

    Hello my name is Paul and iam just wondring if you have any further information about this day my great uncle is among the dead on this day R Carter and i am trying to find out as much as possible to educate my children about these brave men

    many thanks
     
  9. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello Paul,

    Welcome to the forum. Is this your great uncle?

    Name:CARTER, ROBERT
    Initials:R
    Nationality:United Kingdom
    Rank:Private
    Regiment/Service:Gordon Highlanders
    Unit Text:2nd Bn.
    Age:31
    Date of Death:25/09/1944
    Service No:3457086
    Additional information:Son of Alice Carter, of Pallion, Sunderland, Co. Durham.
    Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference:IV. E. 3.
    Cemetery:MIERLO WAR CEMETERY

    I will look up that day in 'Monty's Northern Legions' - Patrick Delaforce, see what there is and post separately later.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  10. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello again, Paul,

    Delaforce has the 227th Infantry Brigade, of which the 2nd Gordon's were part, moving across the Wilhelmina Canal with it objective Naastebet, a mile west of the railway line near Best. Despite RAF Typhoons smashing up the cement factory (brick works?) the Gordon's were brought to a standstill with heavy casualties; these are discussed in an earlier post. The Cameronians on their right also made little progress towards the railway. The attack was called off at 16.30pm.

    Nothing more in this book.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  11. Keiron Davies

    Keiron Davies New Member

    This brave man was my grandfathers cousin. He was very fondly remembered. I am told that he served from the beginning of the war, through Europe, Africa, D-day and then up to the charge for Arnhem. Used up his luck in the end. My Mother will be very pleased that I have been able to trace this info.
    Thanks for putting it up!
     
  12. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  13. Keiron Davies

    Keiron Davies New Member

    Thank you very much. I appreciate the help!
    I am told that originally he possibly joined the Liverpool Regt, but that later became amalgamated with the Gordons (possibly due to evacuation from Dunkirk)??.
    I am trying to trace his service history, I know (anecdotally) that he joined up at the start of the war, obviously age 24 and was killed with the Gordons at Best. I am also led to believe that he is the soldier pictured on the left of the tank entering Tripoli pictured by British Pathe. More than this I can not say. Were all the men killed that day and in that action from the same platoon? Is it possible to find out? There are diary accounts from a Sgt and I don't know how to get all the eggs in the right basket.
    Any and all help is very appreciated.
     
  14. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Hello Keiron

    there are a few members on here who can copy war diaries for you at a reasonable price


    regards
    Clive
     
  15. Wim Kievits

    Wim Kievits Member

    Hi Steve, being a novice in this forum, I am trying to understand the fighting that took place in the town of Vught between october 24th and 27, 1944. It seems that the Gordon Highlanders had a role in the liberation but so far I haven't found so much details beside the standard literature. As you are quoting the 'Monty's Northern Legions' by Patrick Delaforce would you mind to take a look if Vught, approx. 30km's north of Best is mentioned ? Thank you in advance for responding as it will help to fill in the puzzle. Regards, Wim
     

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