SARAH ANN CROFTS FORSTER

Widow of Former South Berks. Conservative Agent The death occurred at a nursing home on Wednesday last week, of Mrs. Sarah Anne Crofts Forster, widow of Mr. E.J. Forster, of "Penyrith,"St John's-road, Newbury. She was the youngest daughter of the late Mr. Charles Midwinter founder of the corn-merchant's business of Messrs. Chas. Midwinter and Son, Cheap-street, and brother of the late Mr. H.J. Midwinter, of "Waltair," Queen's-road. Until her father's death, she lived at "The Polars," Stroud Green. She married Mr. Edward John Forster who was then in the drawing office of Plenty's Eagle Iron Works and became chief draughtsman to the firm, afterwards being the Conservative agent and rising to considerable eminence in the party.
Mr. Forster was chairman of the House Committee of the Newbury Public Assistance Institution, and his wife took a great interest in the welfare of the inmates. She arranged entertainments for them, and used to play the piano at the Christmas Day festivities. As a young woman she had quite a good voice, and was a member of the Newbury Choral Society. At one time she was a member of the Congregational Church choir. Since her husbands death in November 1936, she has lived quietly in retirement, and has latterly been in ill-health.
The funeral took place at the Newtown-road, Cemetery, the service being taken by the Rev. Roy Chamberlain, Vicar of Greenham.
The family mourners were: Miss Jane Midwinter (sister), Mr. George Forster (brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Midwinter, Mr. Walter Midwinter, Miss Milson (nephews and nieces), Mr. Sidney Povey Mrs. Crockford, who was for many years companion to Mrs. Forster, and Mrs. Smith, companion at the time of her death.
The interment was in the same grave as that of her husband.

In addition to the family wreaths there was one from the Dowager Lady Mount, the South Berks. Conservative Association, Mrs Scrivener, Mr. and Mrs. Crockford, Mrs. P. Smith (Highclere), Mrs E.M.H. Smith, Mrs. Hughes and family.

Newbury Weekly News 15 June 1944

Mrs. IP. p. 135 LS(A) 16

Sarah Ann Crofts Forster died 7 June 1944, wife of Edward John Forster b. 24 February 1865 died 4 November 1936 aged 65 Birth does not appear to have been registered.
Sarah Ann Crofts Forster buried 12 June 1944 Bk 1917 p. 254 no. 11625

Grave of the Month Sarah Ann Crofts Forster 1864-1944

Sarah was the youngest daughter of Charles Midwinter, the Corn Merchant with premises in Cheap Street. (see left) She married Ted Forster in 1891. He had completed an apprenticeship at Plenty’s Eagle Iron Works and went on to become Chief Draughtsman. Sarah belonged to Newbury Choral Society and the Congregational Church Choir. She arranged entertainments for the inmates of the Newbury Public Assistance Institution (former workhouse) and played piano for their Christmas Day activities. After their defeat in the 1906 election, the Newbury Conservative Association appointed Ted as their agent. He was very successful in this role and eventually became Chair of the National Conservative Agents Association. They lived on St John’s Road. When Sarah died, a widow in 1944, the day after the D-Day landings she left over £5.000 in her will, enough to buy several houses. Her grave is next to that of Rev Daniel Harding, recently cleaned by the family so very white!
Ros Clow 09/06/2024