A Life Captured in a 1902 Portrait
William Herbert Merchant Foster was born on 2 June 1884, the son of William Foster, aged 39 at the time of his birth, and Sarah Foster (née Merchant), aged 38. His birth took place during the late Victorian era, a time of considerable industrial and social transformation in Britain. Little is recorded about his early life or occupation, but official records show that he remained in Devon for much of his life.
In October 1921, at the age of 37, William Herbert married Rosina Setters in Totnes, Devon. This marriage appears to have taken place relatively late in life, which was not uncommon following the disruptions of the First World War. Electoral registers and civil records suggest the couple later relocated to Surrey, where William spent the remainder of his life.
He passed away on 9 January 1981 in Surrey, having reached the remarkable age of 96. His longevity spanned three centuries of British history, from the height of the Empire to the digital age.
Interpretation and Context
This inscription likely appears on the reverse of a photograph, cabinet card, or personal memento. The use of “Wm.” (an abbreviated form of William) and the full name “Herbert Merchant Foster” suggests this was written either by William himself or someone closely associated with him — perhaps a parent, sibling, or friend. The handwriting style and format are consistent with Edwardian-era notations, typically used to mark the date a portrait was taken or a significant event recorded.
The date June 26, 1902, is particularly interesting. At that time, William Herbert Merchant Foster would have been 18 years and 24 days old, having been born on 2 June 1884. This might have marked:
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A formal studio photograph taken as a rite of passage into adulthood
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A school or college leaving date
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A work-related appointment or apprenticeship milestone
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A memento inscribed for a family album
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Possibly military enlistment or travel documentation, though there is no direct evidence of that
Historical Note
Of additional interest, June 26, 1902, was just two days before the planned coronation of King Edward VII, which had to be postponed due to the King’s emergency surgery. While there’s no direct link, it places the note within a moment of national significance and public ceremony.
Rosina Setters was born on 11 November 1862 in the market town of Buckfastleigh, Devon, a community historically associated with the wool trade and later, the nearby Benedictine abbey. She was nearly 22 years older than her second husband, which, while notable, was not unprecedented in the context of remarriage later in life.
Rosina had previously been married to William John Setters, though records regarding the date or circumstances of his death are limited. Her subsequent marriage to William Herbert Merchant Foster also took place in October 1921, in Totnes, Devon—possibly indicating a dual civil and religious arrangement or a remarriage following a widowhood.
She died in 1949 in Surrey, at the age of 87, having witnessed the entire Victorian age and lived through both World Wars. Her life, marked by resilience and change, reflects the experiences of many women of her era.