Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War Burma operations M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 H. D. Foster, Royal Signals, who was also mentioned in despatches for his services during the same period - ‘he is the only superintendent of a branch of the Fourteenth Army who has been with the Army throughout’

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (2317021 Sgln. H. Foster, R. Signals); India General Service 1936-37, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (2317021 Cpl. H. D. Foster, R. Signals); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (2317021 W.O. Cl. 1 H. Foster, R. Sigs.), generally good very fine (8) £500-600

M.B.E. London Gazette 6 June 1946. The original recommendation states:

‘R.S.M. Foster has served under me as Superintendent of the Chief Signals Officer’s Branch ever since Fourteenth Army was formed. I make this citation the day before the same Army is disbanded. He has been on this front in active operations since December 1941. I know this Warrant Officer intimately and have witnessed his conduct under conditions of extreme discomfort, anxiety and pressure of work. Shortage of staff and frequent changes of personnel have left him undismayed. He has never failed to knit his subordinates into a willing team: his advice to inexperienced officers has been invaluable.

He is the only superintendent of a branch in Fourteenth Army who has been with the Army throughout, in spite of the fact that he could have taken up a comparable appointment in more salubrious surroundings of comfort and ease. He has, in fact, been a pillar of strength. His work has of necessity been behind the scenes but if the attributes of self sacrifice, determination and an extreme willingness to undertake any arduous duty are yardsticks for an award, then I can think of no one more qualified or deserving than R.S.M. Foster.’

Harry D. Foster was present as a Signaller in operations against the Afridi and Red Shirt rebels on the Mohmand Frontier in 1930-31 (Medal & Clasp) and, having been advanced to Corporal, in subsequent operations on the North-West Frontier in the period 1936-39 (Medal & 2 clasps). And as verified by the above cited recommendation, he was back on active service in India and Burma from December 1941 - not least as R.S.M. to the Chief Signals Officer of 14th Army from 1943-45. Mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 19 July 1945), Foster was later recommended for the M.B.E. by Brigadier W. O. Bowen, C.S.O., 14th Army, in October 1945, to which distinctions he added his L.S. & G.C. Medal after the War; sold with copied research.