WW1 Soldier from 50th Battalion CEF Honoured at Graveside Ceremony

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7 hours ago
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Updated: 5 hours ago

On Sunday, November 9, 2025, the King’s Own Calgary Regiment held a graveside ceremony honouring Corporal (Cpl) Gawen Foster, who served in the 50th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (50th Bn CEF), and was wounded during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The King’s Own Calgary Regiment perpetuates the 50th Bn CEF.

Cpl Foster’s story started in the United Kingdom: he was born in 1895 in Hexham, England. Little is known about his early life. His family emigrated to Canada in September of 1906 and settled in Calgary, Alberta.

He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in 1915, and arrived back in England that November. The following year, as part of the 50th Bn CEF, Cpl Foster was sent to the front lines of France.

On April 10, 1917, Cpl Foster was seriously wounded at Vimy Ridge, the same battle which earned Pte John George Pattison, also of the 50th Bn CEF, his Victoria Cross. While recovering from his injuries back in England, he married briefly, but returned to Canada shortly thereafter, alone.

Because of his injuries, Cpl Foster was discharged from the army as medically unfit for service in May of 1918 and received an injured soldiers pension. Shortly after the war ended he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia with his family.

He later moved to Portland, Oregan, and was married again from 1928-1943.

Cpl Foster died in Portland in 1955 and was cremated. With no known family to claim his ashes, his cremains were stored at Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial Mausoleum.

However, in 2024, it became necessary to dispose of that collection of cremains, and efforts to locate any family turned up a World War 1 Roll of Honour from Bagraw County School bearing his name, making the connection to his WWI service.

Through The Military Museums in Calgary, Cpl Foster’s service in the 50th Bn CEF was confirmed, and his cremains were received by the King’s Own Calgary Regiment in 2024.

He was interred in the Field of Honour at Queen’s Park Cemetery during a small ceremony in August 2025.

A representation of a headstone is present at the lcoation of his interment, with the permanent headstone to be installed in 2026.

The official ceremony held on November 9, 2025 served to commemorate Cpl Gawen Foster’s life and service, bringing him back to his Regimental family.

A guard, the flag-folding party, and the Regimental band were on parade for the ceremony, with the remaining members of the King's Own, Regimental family and other guests standing as spectators.

As none of Cpl Foster's remaining family were able to attend the ceremony, the Canadian flag was received by the Commanding Officer of the King's Own Calgary Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Fisher, and will be held at The Military Museums in Calgary.

Welcome home, Cpl Foster.