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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => London & Middlesex Lookup Requests => London and Middlesex => England => London & Middlesex Completed Lookup Requests => Topic started by: leaf on Thursday 14 June 07 13:55 BST (UK)

Title: Death on the River Thames
Post by: leaf on Thursday 14 June 07 13:55 BST (UK)
Hi everyone,

This is a bit of a long shot, but maybe someone can help me.  I'm looking for another sibling in the FOSTER family.  He was born between 1909 and 1911, I believe in the southwark area of London.  He apparently died as a child in the River Thames after he fell from a boat crossing it.  Are there any newpaper archives online that I would be able to access to try and find out any more?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thank you leaf
Title: Re: Death on the River Thames
Post by: jorose on Thursday 14 June 07 15:38 BST (UK)
I had a look at the Times, but the closest I could see was a Henry Foster, 18, of Bow, died in 1928, after going to bathe in the Thames near Walton Bridge, having been visiting friends at Upper Halliford.  He got beyond his depth and disappeared, and all attempts at rescue failed, the body being recovered some hours later by the police.

Times ref:
The Times, Monday, Jul 23, 1928; pg. 8; Issue 44952; col G
Title: Re: Death on the River Thames
Post by: meles on Thursday 14 June 07 16:05 BST (UK)
I find that intriguing, leaf.

There were a number of bridges by then, and very few ferries, crossing the Thames.

So a death from a pleasure cruise sounds more likely, and jorose's suggestion could be the one.

Unless he was working on the river? A lighterman's apprentice, maybe?

meles
Title: Re: Death on the River Thames
Post by: leaf on Thursday 14 June 07 22:16 BST (UK)
Thank you for looking for that jorose, and for your information meles.  I don't think the boy was old enough to be working, so it's probably not Henry.  It could be one of those tales that's got twisted as it's been passed down.  As I have no definate information I may have to wait and see if the 1911 census sheds any light on it.

Thank you once again. leaf
Title: Re: Death on the River Thames
Post by: Reyz on Friday 15 June 07 17:53 BST (UK)
Hi

Just in case Meles theory about the Lightermans apprenticeship was correct, from the Lightermen bindings:

Henry James FOSTER born October 15th 1906
bound to Lightermans apprenticeship
on June 13th 1922
at Bermondsey.

The apprenticeships lasted 7 years, so might be worth checking deaths up to 1929?

Good luck
Reyz.
Title: Re: Death on the River Thames
Post by: leaf on Monday 23 July 07 12:07 BST (UK)
Thank you for the further information.  I still can't confirm anything yet though.  leaf
Title: Re: Death on the River Thames
Post by: mc8 on Monday 23 July 07 13:42 BST (UK)
Hi everyone,

 I'm looking for another sibling in the FOSTER family.  He was born between 1909 and 1911, I believe in the southwark area of London. 

well-if you are right about the dates, and it was southwark, there aren't many to try. I looked at births for you
q2 1909 george edward 1d 49
q4 1910 george h 1d 138
q2 1911 john f 1d 77
q3 1911 benjamin c (mmn pendleton) 1d 178
q3 1911 cecil rl (mmn c* or gatsell) 1d 196

and familiar sounding names there?
Monique
Title: Re: Death on the River Thames
Post by: leaf on Monday 23 July 07 14:06 BST (UK)
Hi Monique,

Thank you for that.  I really don't know very much at all about the child.  The mother's maiden name was Lawrence.  The next eldest sibling I know of was born between Oct and Dec 1911 in Dover.  The parents were married May 1909 in Southwark.  I know some of the parents siblings stayed in London after they moved away, so if the tale is true He could have been visiting them.  It could be one of the George's, that's the same name as the child's Grandfather.  Thanks once again.  leaf
Title: Re: Death on the River Thames
Post by: Mary B on Monday 23 July 07 15:13 BST (UK)
Perhaps the PLA ( Port of London Authority)  would have something in their archives.
Title: Re: Death on the River Thames
Post by: leaf on Monday 23 July 07 15:52 BST (UK)
Hi Mary,

Excellent thinking.  I've looked on their website and see that the archives are open to the public.  I'll add that to the list of places to visit.  Thank you.  leaf