FOSTER, George
| Service Number: | 3641 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 May 1917, Enlisted at Mitchell, QLD |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 49th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bollon, Queensland, Australia, 1894 |
| Home Town: | Bollon, Balonne Shire, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Station Hand |
| Died: | Mitchell, Queensland, Australia, 21 September 1945, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Mitchell Cemetery, Qld |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 30 May 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3641, 49th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Mitchell, QLD | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Aug 1917: | Involvement Private, 3641, 49th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 1 Aug 1917: | Embarked Private, 3641, 49th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Sydney | |
| 27 Sep 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 3641, 49th Infantry Battalion, Discharged at the 1st Military District |
AWM George Foster
Indigenous Australian, George FOSTER, 49th Infantry Battalion
George FOSTER was born in Bollon, Queensland in July 1884 and was working as a station hand when he volunteered to serve with the first AIF in May 1917. He nominated his brother Herbert as his next of kin. Initially selected to serve with the Light Horse, men were badly needed to reinforce troops in northern France, and subsequently he was allotted to reinforce the 49th Infantry Battalion.
Foster travelled from Mitchell to Enoggera, where he trained for several months before embarking for the United Kingdom in August 1917. His ship HMAT Medic sailed via Halifax, Nova Scotia where troops were transferred to the S.S. Orissa, landing at the port of Liverpool early in October 1917.
Foster was hospitalized with influenza when he arrived at the 13th Training Battalion, Codford Camp. After spending several weeks at the Australian Infantry Depot at Havre, he didn't join his unit in France until April 1918. At this time the 49th Infantry Battalion were operating out of Querrieu, in the north of France, relieving other battalions in the front line.
Just prior to the armistice Foster was hospitalized with bronchitis but rejoined his unit two weeks later. After peace was declared the 49th Battalion remained in northern France for some months, Foster was briefly detailed to the Ammunition Dump Guard at the devastated city of Dinant, a community that had suffered horribly at the hands of the enemy.
George Foster returned to his home in July 1919 and married Mabel George in 1920.
Submitted 17 March 2021 by Lynette Turner
Biography contributed by Carol Foster
Next of kin given as his brother Herbert Foster of Homeboyne Station, Mitchell, QLD
Commenced return to Australia on12 July 1919 aboard HT City of Exeter disembarking on 28 August 1919
Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
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