Pilot Officer Russell Bowyer Foster

Russell Bowyer Foster, [ca. 1941]. City of Richmond Archives Biography File

Birth: July 9, 1918 in Vancouver, BC
Death: July 18, 1943 in Pantelleria Island, Italy
Service: WWII
Service Number: J13991

Biography:
Russell Foster lived at RR 1, Steveston, with his widowed mother, Florence Minnie Foster, sister Bernice, and brother Courtney. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1935 and then took a Sprott-Shaw commercial course. His first job in 1937 was with James Richardson and Sons as a junior clerk. He then joined Richmond Dairy Products as assistance book keeper and in October 1940 became a stenographer and book keeper with the Municipality of Richmond. He left this position to enlist with the Royal Canadian Air Force on July 21, 1941. His position with the Municipality was to be kept open until his return from war. Russell was a well-known lacrosse player in Richmond, who had been given the nickname "Pop".

On enlistment, Russell was sent to Brandon, Manitoba for training, spending the next year on bases in Alberta and Saskatchewan. He was home on leave in August 1942 and was promoted to Pilot Officer rank in September 1942. He left for England in the fall of 1942, arriving in November. On July 18, 1943, Russell and three RAF crew members, #144 Hong Kong Squadron, were killed when their Boston aircraft hit a balloon cable near the aerodrome at Pantelleria Island, Italy. Flying Officer Navigator Russell Bowyer Foster was initially buried in the United States Military Cemetery on the island, and then later exhumed and reburied in the Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia, Africa.

History of the Road Name (Foster Road):

• Council Resolution to adopt road name: Council meeting January 21, 1946 res. 8674