Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Foyster, a farmer and grazier, born 1842 in Gedney Hill, Lincolnshire and his wife Mary Jane Foyster (nee Simms, married in the 2nd quarter of 1871 in the Holbeach, Lincolnshire district), born 1848 in Gedney Hill. John was born in the 4th quarter of 1888 in Hickling, Nottinghamshire, and was baptised in St. Luke’s Church, Hickling on the 1st March 1891, his siblings were, Sarah Jane, born 1874 and Arthur, born 1886, the latter two siblings were both born in Brentingby, Leicestershire, also residing with the family was John’s widowed maternal Grandfather, Henry Simms, living on his own means, born 1826 in Thorney, Cambridgeshire, in March 1901 the family home was at Hickling, Nottinghamshire. In April 1911 John was employed working on the family farm and was residing at Freeby, Leicestershire together with his father, a farmer, his mother and siblings, Elizabeth, a mothers help, born 1880 in Brentingby, Lucy, a dairy worker, born 1883 in Eye Kettleby, Leicestershire and Arthur, working on the family farm. John died of meningitis.
On Friday March 3rd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – FREEBY YEOMAN’S DEATH. We regret to announce the death of Private John Foyster, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Foyster, of Rustic House, Freeby, which took place at the Norfolk War Hospital, near Norwich last Saturday. Deceased who was 20 years of age, joined the Leicestershire Yeomanry in October 1914, and went out to France in February, 1915. In May he contracted a chill, which developed into pneumonia, and he was invalided to England to the Birmingham Hospital. He returned to France again, and two months later was taken ill with appendicitis and septic poisoning and underwent an operation at one of the Base Hospitals at St. Omer. When able to be moved he was taken to the Norfolk War Hospital, where he remained until his death. Up to a fortnight ago he appeared to be recovering, and was in fact, able to walk about the hospital grounds, but meningitis set in, and he lingered until Saturday, having retained consciousness until the previous evening. Whilst at Norwich he was frequently visited by Lieut. W. Crawford, a personal friend of the deceased, and who is stationed with the Yeomanry Reserve near Norwich. The remains encased in a polished oak coffin with brass furniture, arrived at Melton station on Tuesday evening, and were taken by road to Freeby on Wednesday afternoon, the burial service being taken by the Rev. B. H. Smith, rector of Waltham. A large number of relatives, friends and parishioners were present, including Lieut. W. Crawford, who travelled from Norwich to pay a last mark of respect to the deceased, and Lieut. J. Crawford, of the Leicestershire Yeomanry, at present at home from France. Amongst the floral tributes was a beautiful wreath from Colonel Muir, and the officers of the 2/1st Leicestershire Yeomanry, and Colonel Muir also sent a letter of sympathy to the relatives.
And in the same issue under the heading: “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – THANKS. Mr. and Mrs. J. Foyster and family of Rustic House, Freeby, and Miss Meadwell of Melton Mowbray, desire to tender their sincere thanks for the numerous expressions of sympathy which they have received in their bereavement. As it is impossible to answer them all individually, will friends kindly accept this acknowledgement.