Foster, Colonel Herbert A TD Cami. Mech. E

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Portrait of Colonel Herbert A Foster TD. Cami. Mech. E of Littlemoor, Queensbury

From John Sowden's notes:

"The fourth son of the late William Foster, JP, DL, of Hornby Castle, Lancashire and Queensbury, Yorkshire was born in 1853.
Brought up to business life he has always been a worker, having thoroughly learned his business and worked in every department of the large works at Queensbury which were founded by his grandfather and father more than three quarters of a century ago. Colonel Forster has always looked upon business as an honourable profession, and early appreciated the fact that the whole structure of the state is based upon a process of industry in its various forms and that men engaged in these industries whether as employees are employed are in the strictest sense – provided they do their work honestly – serving the nation.
The happiest relations exist between employer and employed at Queensbury, where from the first master and man have worked cordially together for the common object. It is in the truest sense a ‘family concern’, and at the same time the firm’s long career of prosperity is a convincing proof that strict business methods are perfectly compatible with mutual consideration of human kindliness. Having a keen sense of the duties of citizenship, Colonel Foster has taken a strenuous part in public matters and has occupied many important positions.
He has been a member of the Council of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce for over a quarter of a century, and was President of the Council during the years 1907-1908.
In County public work he has been a member of the West Riding County Council since 1895, and was created an Alderman in 1913.
He is also a member of the West Riding of Yorkshire Rivers Board and has been chairman of the Manufacturing Pollutions Committee for 10 years. In local public work he was a member of the Queensbury Urban District Council and Chairman for eight years, he was also a member of the Queensbury School Board and Chairman for nine years.
He has been a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers since 1889. Colonel Foster has also taken a keen interest in the Volunteers since 1886, when he joined, and was made an Hon. Colonel of the 2nd West Riding Brigade RFA in the year 1897. He showed his practical sympathy with the cause by presenting a Drill Shed at Halifax to the Brigade.
As an old volunteer he is a strong advocate of the youths of the country doing their duty by joining the reserve forces.
But if business interests have claimed the greater part of Colonel Foster's activities, he has managed to find time to indulge in yachting.
In the year 1884 he became owner of his first craft the “Lancer”, 167 tons. Since then he built in the year 1889 the yacht “Portia” now the “Lady Evelyn” and in 1906 his present yacht “Portia” 527 tons yacht measurement.
He has been a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron since 1887. In 1915 when the Special Constables were organised, Colonel Foster was made District Commander of No. 3 West Riding District consisting of 10 Divisions in which are more than 1800 Special Constables.
In the year 1907 Colonel Foster married F Edith A Brudenell-Bruce, daughter of the late Lord Robert Brudenell and granddaughter of the 3rd Marquis of Ailesbury PC and has two sons.
His seat is at Littlemoor, Queensbury, Yorkshire, 1100 feet above sea level, and he built his house in 1900.
Colonel Fosterer is a West Riding Magistrate."

Year

1909

Creator

John Sowden

Image filename

sowden-278