BERTRAM ERNEST FOSTER 1899 – 1922
This headstone stands out from the others around it because it is quite new, it was only erected in 2015 and Mossfords Memorials provide the stone. Previously it had been an unmarked grave, then it was found that Bert had not only served in the First World War but also had played for Wrexham in 1921 in the first Football League match against Hartlepool United. The Wrexham Supporters’ Trust decided to buy a headstone. It was paid for by donations from many people in the area and thanks to the hard work by the WST the project was able to go ahead.
It took many hours searching for relatives before Bert`s niece was found, and she was happy to give her permission. Sadly, Connie died not long after and never got to see the grave.
Bertram E Foster. The Welch Regiment, Wrexham Football Club, “Fearless in Devotion”. Bert.
Transcription
A dedication ceremony was held in September 2015 and Dixie McNeil, the well known Wrexham AFC player and president of the football club attended. Also attending was Stuart Roberts, the man who made it all possible.
From the WWI Medal Awards Rolls it can be seen that Bert had served with the Welch Regiment, his rank was Acting Corporal. His index card shows that he was awarded the Victory and the British medals. Bert made it through the War, but died aged 23 in The Turf Hotel which is part of Wrexham Racecourse Football Ground.
Bertram was the son of Harry Foster and Sarah Ann Clutton and was born in 1899. His parents are buried in the same grave, but there is no inscription for them.
HARRY FOSTER 1869 – 1935
Harry Foster was born in Wrexham in 1869; he was the son of John Foster a painter and Eliza Jones who worked as a milliner for most of her life. Both his parents were born in the town. Harry was employed in the leather industry and married Sarah Ann Clutton in 1895. They only had two children, Bert and Cissie. Harry died aged 65 in Saxon Street, Wrexham, he was buried on 1 July 1935.
SARAH ANN FOSTER 1873 – 1933
Sarah Ann Clutton was born in Wrexham in 1873; she was the daughter of John Clutton and Sarah Wright. It was a large family of at least 9 children. John lived in the Penybryn area and in 1891 he was a maltster, and his eldest son Henry also worked in the brewery, two of the others were bricklayers and one was a shoemaker, Sarah`s elder sister Bessie was a dressmaker’s apprentice, so they were a hard-working family.
Sarah Ann married in 1895 and died in Saxon Street aged 59, she was buried on 3 March 1933.
Researched by Annette Edwards. August 2018.
Many thanks to Wrexham Supporters Trust for the kind permission to use the photos.
Grave ref: Wrexham Cemetery P-04269
