FOSTER, Arthur Nicholas

NAME             FOSTER          Arthur Nicholas
RANK             Private             105766
                       I Canadian Corps - 1st Canadian Infantry Division - 1st Infantry Brigade                                            REGIMENT    48th Highlanders of Canada                                                                                                                                       “faithful forever”
                       Royal Canadian Infantry Corp                                                                                                    Residence      Preston - Ontario                                                                                                                                  Born               September 12, 1922 - Zurich - Hay Township - County of Huron - Ontario                                          Died               January 30, 1944          21 years   4months
Memorial        Cassino Memorial - Cassino - Frosinone - Italy
.                      Panel 14
Parents          Mr. Nicholas and Mary Foster - Zurich / Seaforth                                                                                Brothers         Mr. Andrew Foster - Sarnia - Ontario                                                                                                                           Mr, Edgar Foster - Breslau - Ontario                                                                                            Sisters            Miss Irene Foster - Kitchener                                                                                                                                       Mrs. Martha Hay - Zurich - Ontario                                                                                                                             Mrs. Dorsina Lang - Kitchener - Ontario                                                                                                                     Mrs. Luella Stemmler - Linwood - Ontario

Arthur was born in Zurich on September 12, 1922 and while growing up he enjoyed bowling, dancing, softball and soccer. The family would have attended He left school after he completed Grade 8. He was a machine operator making marine fitting at Condor Steel and Kandu Steel in Preston. Before he enlisted he worked for Krug Furniture in Kitchener as a planes man. He lived on Laurel Street in Preston.

Canada

He went to London on January 13, 1943 and enlisted into the Canadian Army. When he enlisted he stood 5' 9" tall and weighed 177 pounds. He had a ruddy complexion with blue eyes and black hair. He was Taken on Service at No. 1 District Depot in London with the rank of Private. Approximately two weeks later he was posted to A29 Canadian Infantry Training Centre at Camp Ipperwash. He did his training there and then received his embarkation leave from May 24-29. When he returned he travelled to Camp Debert in Nova Scotia in preparation for going overseas.

Overseas

On June 8 Private Foster was Struck off Strength of the Canadian Army Canada and embarked from Canada. The next day he was Taken on Strength with the Canadian Army Overseas. He disembarked in the United Kingdom on June 18 and reported to No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit the following day. Early in September he was posted to No. 4 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit.

Mediterranean Theatre

Private Foster was Struck off Strength of the Canadian Army UK and embarked from Scotland on October 26. The following day at sea he was Taken on Strength with the Canadian Army in the Mediterranean Theatre. He disembarked in Italy on November 9, 1943.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    In the Field                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Private Foster was Taken on Strength with the 48th Highlanders of Canada on January 17, 1944.

In the field

His last letter to home was written on January 28, 1944 just two days before he would lose his life.
January 30th was a clear and sunny day. The Villa Grande – Toelo Road engagement was to be the last of the winter of 1944/45 on the Adriatic Front. The objective was to secure a base for more bold and effective patrolling and plans were being made to deepen the salient that the 1st Infantry Brigade was now holding.
The attack to deepen the Salient was to be made on a 500 - foot plateau that rose from the gully gouged out
by the left fork of the Riccio River west of San Nicola and Villa Grande. The 48th were on the left flank about 1,000 yards west of Villa Grande and the attack took place in the daylight hours and over terrain that was flat and exposed.  At approximately 5:30 am was the last time Private Foster was seen and this was in the area of Straat
House. This was in the Arielli area. The 48th was conducting a raid at this time. He was not alone as other
members of the Regiment were with him. When seen he was lying on the ground and under enemy machine
gun fire and pinned down. The Germans were about 60 yards from his location. The order to withdraw was
given and when they rendezvoused Private Foster was not present. The grid was searched but he was not
located. When last seen his group were seeking cover from two buildings. The buildings had been searched
and the Germans were not there. He was in danger of being captured. This was the first patrol for Private
Foster. The purpose of the raid was to pinpoint the enemy positions and to take prisoners. It is possible he was
wounded and in trying to get back to Allied lines stumbled upon a German position.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                On January 20, 1945 his mother received the Memorial Cross. On March 23, 1950 Private Foster was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the Italy Star, the War Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal + Clasp.                                                                                                                                                                                                           Arthur is honoured and remembered on the Virtual Canadian War Memorial. He is honoured and remembered on the Cassino War Memorial. He is honoured and remembered on the 48th Highlanders of Canada Memorial located at Queen's Park in Toronto.

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