George Foggin

Forename(s):
George

Surname:
Foggin

Initial(s):
G

Service Number:
4812

Rank:
Lance-Corporal

Regiment:
Australian Imperial Force, 16th Battalion

Died:
28/09/1917

Aged:
32

Buried:
Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper

Service History:
Foggin's attestation papers show he joined the Australian Infantry on 10 January 1916.

Previously served with the 12th Northumberland Yeomanry.

Background:
Born 1885 in Glanton, Foggin was the second son of George Foggin (b. 1855), a Grocer, & his wife Jane (b. 1854). He had an elder brother, Robert, born 1884 & three younger brothers, Thomas (b. 1887), John (b. 1889) & William (b. 1890).

In 1901 the family was still living in Glanton. Foggin was helping his father as a Grocer while Thomas, then 14, was a PlumberÂ’s Apprentice. The boys had a new sibling, Catherine, born in 1897.

In 1905 George Snr. died.

In the 3rd Quarter of 1909 Foggin married Margaret Thompson.

The 1911 Census reveals that, following the death of her husband, the Grocery Shop in Front Street, Glanton was being run by his widow Jane (Jean), age 59, living by her own account.

Foggin was then married & an out-of-work Coachman. Thomas, age 23, was still single & an out-of-work Plumber while William, 21, was also single & a Horse Driver for hire living by his own account (self-employed). There is no mention of Margaret on the Census return, but she may have been visiting family at the time.

The return also shows there had been six children born in the family, but only five had survived. The return was completed & signed by Foggin on behalf of the family.

On 25 May 1911, just after the census, Foggin boarded a ship for Fremantle, Western Australia leaving his wife behind. On 10 October 1912, Thomas & Foggin's wife, Maggie, followed him out to Australia.

According to ThomasÂ’s attestation papers, he joined up on 11 March 1915, aged 27 years 11 months. He was unmarried &, like for his brother George, his occupation is recorded as a Miner. Next of kin was recorded as his mother, Jean. He also stated that he had been once convicted by a civil power. Thomas survived the war.

Following MargaretÂ’s arrival in Australia, she & Foggin set up home at 126, Richardson Street, Boulder, Western Australia.

Pre-enlistment occupation: Miner.

Newcastle 'Journal', 13 October 1917:
'FOGGIN: Killed in Action aged 32 years.
George Foggin, Australian Imperial Force, dearly beloved husband of Maggie Foggin, Boulder City, Western Australia. 2nd & dearly loved son of Jane & the late George Foggin, Glanton.'

Local Memorial:
Glanton, Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour Glanton, United Reform Church (Source: For Glanton URC, newmp.org.uk) Whittingham, Roll of Honour in St. BartholomewÂ’s Church (Possibly) Whittingham & Callaly 1914-1918 Memorial Stone