Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Memorial Plaque (Archibald Courtnay Hayes Foster) contained in contemporary circular wooden frame, extremely fine £200-£240

Lieutenant Archibald Courtnay Hayes Foster, Hampshire Regiment, attached 4th Battalion, King’s African Rifles, of which he was commanding “A” Company when killed, was the fourth son of the late Montagu H. Foster, of Stubbington House, Fareham, and of Mrs Foster, The Lodge, Stubbington. He was born at Stubbington House on the 19th May 1886, and was educated at Stubbington and at Cheltenham College. He received his commission in the Hampshire Regiment in January 1906, becoming Lieutenant in October 1907. In October 1913 he was seconded in his regiment for employment with the 4th (Uganda) Battalion King’s African Rifles, with whom he was serving at the time of his death. He had recently returned from an expedition in Jubaland. He was killed in action on the 19th September 1914, at Campi ya Marabu, Tsavo, British East Africa, gallantly urging his men on after he was hit. The following account of the action forwarded by the General Officer commanding troops, British East Africa and Uganda Protectorate, was published in the East African Standard of the 14th October 1914:-
“Campi ya Marabu.
This little action was fought with spirit and determination. Lieutenant Foster died a gallant death, and the British officers and rank and file of the Somali section and ‘A’ Company K.A.R. gave him courageous support.” (The Bond of Sacrifice refers). Sold with further research including a more detailed report of the action and copied Medal Index Card which confirms 1914-15 Star trio.