Robert Clow Foster

Image courtesy of King s College, University of London

Key Information

Name: Robert Clow Foster                                                
DoB: May 19 1892 Regt: Suffolk Regiment 11th Bn.
DoD: April 10 1918
Academic Career: CGS 1904-7, London University

Biographical Information:

  • Robert was born in Carlisle and was of Scottish descent. His paternal grandparents and his father, James Thomson Foster, were from Kilmarnock. The family had moved to Carlisle when James was a boy (his younger sister was born in the city). Robert’s grandfather – also Robert – was a tailor and clothier as was his son James. Robert’s mother was Isabella Margaret Clow. She was born illegitimately to Margaret Clow the daughter of farmers from Middlebie, Scotland. She appears to have died in Newcastle in 1895. We do not know what happened to Robert’s father but in the later 1901 and 1911 Census Robert was living with his uncle and aunt, John Barbour Wallace Foster and Frances (Murray) Foster who were childless. Uncle John was head teacher of St John’s Boys School, Carlisle. It is touching to note that in the announcement of his death in the Cumberland News Robert was described as a “dearly loved nephew“.