Extracts and Comments
(from Sources as shown) | |
Murray: killed in action Grobelaar Recht near Carolina 15.5.1901 Mentioned in Despatches by Commander in Chief 8.7.1901.
West Australian: son of Alex FORREST MLA, War Memorial Perth Cathedral, shot through forehead, letter from Kitchener to GG, Mentioned in Despatches 'for conspicuous gallantry at Brakpan 16.5.1901'.
HAGSOC: grave photo.
URL3: Killed in action at Brakpan 15.5.1901 aged 33.
URL4: The condition of Mr. Alex FORREST, of West Australia (brother of Sir John FORREST, the Federal Minister for Defence) is reported to be critical. His son was recently killed in South Africa.
URL6: The Minister of Defence (Sir John FORREST) his received from the Governor General the following letter in reference to his nephew, the late Lieutenant FORREST - "Army Headquarters, SA, 10.7.1901. I have the honour to request you bring under the notice of your Government the gallantry and good service performed by the late Lieutenant FORREST, of the West Australian Mounted Infantry. With the rest of the forces, he was engaged with the enemy on May 16 in operations near Middelburg, when by splendid work they attacked two positions with fixed bayonets. He was specially brought under my notice by that action. I much regret to inform you that Lieutenant FORREST was killed during this charge, and ask that your lordship will kindly express to the Government my great appreciation of the services rendered by him, and my deep grief at the loss of this promising officer. - Kitchener."
URL7: Bishop RILEY, Chaplain-General of the forces, [said 1.3.1908] ... They wanted to honour the brave, and those who did their duty, and that morning they were thinking of two soldiers who fought in Africa. One, the late Colonel RICARDO, came home, and was after wards killed by an accident. Colonel RICARDO was a soldier and a gentleman, and nothing higher in his praise could be said than that. He was a man whose life inspired them to do their duty. The other was the late Lieutenant FORREST, of whom it was more difficult to speak, because, as they knew, he was only a boy when he went to fight for his country and met his death on the battlefield. Those who were with him in Africa, his comrades, thought he would have made a splendid officer if he had only lived, but he gave up his life for the sake of his country when only a lad, and he could not have done more.
URL8: Probates and Administrations - Anthony FORREST, late of Perth an officer in His Majesty's army to David FORREST, £70.
URL9: FALLEN SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL. THE UNVEILING CEREMONY. SPEECH BY THE ADMINISTRATOR. The memorial erected in honour of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Western Australian contingents who were killed in action or died from wounds or disease during the war in South Africa was unveiled on Saturday afternoon [6.9.1902] by His Excellency the Administrator (Sir Edward STONE). The memorial is erected in King's Park, a short distance from the main entrance, and on the left side of the drive. ... Sir James then read a tabulated statement giving the details of the casualties to Western Australian soldiers which were to be inscribed on the memorial. The chief particulars are as follow - Major HG MOOR, First Contingent, killed in action at Palmietfontein, 19.7.1900; Lieut. GGW HENSMAN, First Contingent, died of wounds at Slingersfontein, 12.3.1900; Lieut. AA FORREST, Fifth Contingent, killed in action near Carolina, 16.5.1901; Lieut. SS REID, Sixth Contingent, died of wounds at Middlekraal, 29.6.1901; Lieut. GA MORRIS, Sixth Contingent, killed in action at Rolspruit. 3.2.1902; Sergeant FF EDWARDS, Fifth Contingent, killed in action near Carolina, 16.5.1901; Farrier-Sergeant RH MCGREGOR, Fifth Contingent, died of pneumonia at Middleburg, 22.5.1901; Corporal GN BISHOP, First Contingent, died of pneumonia.at De Aar, 14.2.1900; Corporal WF BOLLINGER, Fifth Contingent, died of wounds near Carolina, 16.5.1901; Corporal FURLONG, Fifth Contingent, killed near Carolina, 16.5.1901; Lance-Corporal W FRASER, Fourth Contingent, killed in action near Pietersburg, 8.4.1901; Lance Corporal JG DALLISTON, Fifth Contingent, killed in action at Watervaal River, 1.2.1902; Private MW COLLETT, First Contingent, killed in action at Palmietfontein. 19.7.1900; Private H FORCE, First Contingent, died of wounds at Watervaal Onder, 15.9.1900; Private M CONWAY, First Contingent, killed in action at Slingersfontein, 9.2.1900; Private WJ MCPHEE, Third Contingent, died of wounds at Buluwayo, 2.7.1900; Private TH ANGEL, Third Contingent, died of wounds at De Berg's Pass, 23.4.1901; Private EA HAMBLY, Third Contingent; died of malarial fever at Buluwayo, 26.6.1900; Private J ROSCOE, Third Contingent, died of wounds at Elands River, 3.11.1900; Private EG ILES, Fourth Contingent, killed in action at Jagersfontein, 25.8.1900; Private J KAY, Fourth Contingent, killed in action at Palmeitfontein, 19.7.1900; Private H WHITE, Third Contingent, died in Melbourne, prior to discharge, 4.6.1901; Privates B FISHER, F PAGE, FT ADAMS and J SEMPLE, Sixth Contingent, killed in action at Carolina, 16.5.1901; Private A BLANCH, Sixth Contingent, died of wounds at Carolina, 18.5.1901; Private J HUME, Third Contingent, died of pneumonia at Fremantle. 1.6.1901; Private H SOLOMON, Fifth Contingent, treacherously shot at Kankanistche Farm, 16.4.1901; Private R SPENCER, Sixth Contingent, died of enteric fever at Middleburg, 14.5.1901; Private G WESTCOTT, Sixth Contingent, killed in action, Renshoogte, 23.6.1901; Private CC CLIFFORD, Sixth Contingent, killed in action, Renshoogte, 23.6.1901; Private J DELAHUNTLY, Sixth Contingent, killed in action, Pladplaats, 16.8.1901; Private R ALDAY, Fifth Contingent, killed in action, Watervaal River, 1.2.1902: Private WJ DUNSTAN, Fifth Contingent, died of enteric fever, Pretoria, 15.2.1902; Private A HAMMOND, Fifth Contingent, killed in action at Roode Bank, 1.2.1902; Private W PARKER, Fifth Contingent, died of enteric fever at Standerton, 22.1.1902; Private OE FRY, Sixth Contingent, died of enteric fever at Standerton, 22.12.1901; Private JBM THURSTON, Sixth Contingent, died of pneumonia, at Standerton, 30.12.1901; Private TH WILSON, Sixth Contingent, died of enteric fever at Standerton, 12.12.1901. Continuing, Sir James pointed out, that the above list comprised 40 officers and men, 30 of whom had been killed or had died of wounds received in action and 10 of whom had died of disease.
URL10: Aust. Boer War Memorial database.
W. Mail: [Major DARLING 5WAMI] then briefly outlined the work done under General Walter KITCHENER, Colonel ROYSTON, Colonel WING and General Bruce HAMILTON, and mentioned that success invariably attended their efforts. In continuing his remarks, Major DARLING said he would like to refer to some who had done their work particularly well, and he would speak of them in the order in which he remembered them. Private SOLOMON was killed at Reitfontein on April 16 -only a few days after they had landed. One of the greatest blows he received was when poor FORREST was killed. He was one of the finest officers, kind, and willing to do his work and fought well. Sergeant Percy EDWARDS was killed at the same time. He was one of the finest non-commissioned officers he (the speaker) had. Corporal BOLINGER died from his wounds subsequently. Then they went on with out any casualty until the death of Sergt. HANDCOCK, who was hit three times while trying to get a man who had been wounded twice away. But the worst of all their luck was, he thought, one night in March, when they lost three of their best fellows, whose names he would al ways remember with the greatest feeling of respect and reverence that he possibly could. He referred to Lance-Corporal DALLISTON and Privates HAMMOND and ALDAY. Early in the morning, two Boers were seen getting away. There was a heavy mist, and one could hardly see. The division on the right chased and caught one man, but in the effort the three he had referred to were shot, and two others were wounded. The other Boer died afterwards. It was a pity losing such three gallant men. He thanked them for the kind way in which they had received the contingent. (Cheers.)
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