How did you verify that it was Roy Foster, Prof at Dundee and the other references? I've found similar references and some volumes a Roy Foster authored regarding molecular study that perhaps match his field and are dated from the early 70's. However, I can't find anything that "verifies" a connection.
Also, I watched the full 9:30 version of the interview, he doesn't really say much over the course of it. Kind of just alludes to things. I would have expected a few bits of evidence out of the longer version, but there's really no there there.
However, an interesting mystery.
Not explicitly, but by way of inference, there are no other R. Fosters who are professors dealing in any other field, and what are the chances there are professors who share the same name and have a focus on some form of Chemistry. Everything i found on R. Foster suggest he worked at Dundee University, member of RSE, worked with Prof Brimacombe, was head of the Chem department, and his name comes up frequently in the backdrop of the lunar expeditions.
The interview was most likely heald as a result of the 1965 NASA Summer conference on lunar expeditions, whether he was at the conference or not i dont know. But all this information gathered can be simply verified by the University of Dundees records, that is unless they have photo evidence of him or better yet have something very specific related to his statement about the moon not being solid.
If they cant ascribe the name to the face, or provide relevant papers. The only route would be to find someone who can identify him, maybe family, former students etc. But i am totally certain it is him, and if i were a betting man i'd put all my money on it.
Are you sure about this reference: he is the only R. Foster from Mitchel and Longman 1983 directory "Materials Research Centres: A World Directory of Organizations and Programmes in Materials Science" as the head of the Chemistry department at Dundee alongside Professor J. S Brimacombe."?
As the only references I find with a Foster and J. S Brimacombe is regarding authors listed as: John S. Brimacombe, Allan Mark Bloomfield Foster
Often referenced as J.S. Brimacombe & A.B. Foster. And in a few instances I've seen: Authors: "J. S. Brimacombe, A. B. Foster, R. Hems, J. H. Westwood, and L. D. Hall"
Notice how an 'R' appears after 'Foster'. It's the 'R' from the author "R. Hems", not from Foster.
So I believe your J.S. Brimacombe/R. Foster connection is incorrect.
As for, "...and his name comes up frequently in the backdrop of the lunar expeditions." I can find no relevant references on this. Do you have any specifics?
I would be happy to clarify, the books name is verbatim "Materials Research Centres: A World Directory of Organizations and Programmes in Materials Science" authored by "Eric Mitchell, Elizabeth Lines
Longman, 1983" there are 654 pages, and you will find both Brimacombe and R. Foster on page 527 under heading Chemistry Department, in section 644. Just so we are on the same page here is the link to the book, you can use the Search bar to look for kew words inside the book:
https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=y5JgAAAAMAAJ&dq=longman+"professor+r.+foster"+1983&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=longman+"professor+r.+foster"+1983
As for what I meant by his name coming up in the backdrop of the lunar expeditions, I meant that only one person with special interest in chemistry comes up in the references dating to that era of lunar exploration 1969-1972 (as im only getting references from one R. Foster from 1971-1972 whith an interest in Chemistry.