John Dryden Foster, born 8 November 1889, was my maternal grandfather. My mam was born just a couple of weeks before he went off to war, in November 1914, and so never saw him. In fact, she never even saw a photo of him. He left a young widow with two small children. He original served with the DLI, but was discharged at the end of December 1914. The family story is that he was sent back to continue working in the shipyards, but he didn't return to Sunderland, joining the 1/6 West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) instead. I have his tribute certificate, awarded by the town of Sunderland , and his medals, and they are my most treasured possessions. I would love to have known him, and only hope that my mam was able to meet him when she passed away.

LINDA KING