Private Richard Archer Foster
Richard Archer Foster was born on 12 May 1897 at 70 Balfour Avenue, Belfast, the first of three children of hotel waiter James Foster and his wife Margaret (née Rogan). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 217 Hillman Street, Belfast, with his parents and brothers.
Foster enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 7 December 1916 (No.2321). He gave his occupation as cinema operator. (Other documents on his service file use the term electrician operator.)
On 21 February 1917 Foster was admitted to the Military Hospital in Belfast suffering from epilepsy. Following assessment by a medical board, on 19 March he was discharged, being 'no longer physically fit for war service' (paragraph 392 (xvi), King's Regulations). His military character was recorded as 'good'. 'During his service of 103 days has been found honest, sober and industrious.'