Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A ‘1961’ A.F.M. group of three awarded to Flight Lieutenant, late Master Navigator, G. W. E. Foster, Royal Air Force, who was killed during a flying accident in a Canberra, over Lyme Bay, Dorset, 1 May 1970

Air Force Medal, E.II.R. (3051193 F. Sgt. G. W. E. Foster. R.A.F.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Near East (3051193 F. Sgt. G. W. E. Foster. R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R, 2nd issue (Fg. Off. G. W. E. Foster. R.A.F.) light contact marks overall, very fine (3) £1800-2200

A.F.M. London Gazette 10 June 1961.

George William Edward Foster was born in March 1926, and served with the Royal Air Force, advancing to Master Navigator in February 1962. He was posted to the Officer Cadet Training Unit at Jurby in April the same year, and subsequently advanced to Flight Lieutenant (received two Commendations for Valuable Service in the Air, London Gazette 2 January 1956 and 1 January 1969).

Foster was the Observer in an A&AEE English Electric Canberra TT18, WJ632 at Boscombe Down, 1 May 1970. The pilot, Major J. R. Weaver USAF, lost control of the aircraft at 4,000ft during an asymmetric assessment exercise. Weaver used the incorrect recovery technique and the aircraft spun into Lyme Bay 3½ miles SE of Bridport, Dorset. Both Foster and Weaver were killed, whilst the Navigator Flight Lieutenant J. F. Nicol survived.

Flight Lieutenant Foster is buried in City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.