FORBES, Sydney Trovorrow
| Service Number: | 205 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 August 1914, Helena Vale, WA |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 11th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Camberwell, Victoria, Australia, 1 April 1894 |
| Home Town: | Claremont, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Oxford Street State School, Leederville, Western Australia |
| Occupation: | School Teacher |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Pozieres, France, 22 July 1916, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Villers-Bretonneux Memorial |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Crawley University of Western Australia Honour Roll, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Corporal, 205, 11th Infantry Battalion, Helena Vale, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1914: | Involvement 205, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Nov 1914: | Embarked 205, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Fremantle | |
| 25 Apr 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 205, 11th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 16 Jun 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
| 22 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 11th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières |
Help us honour Sydney Trovorrow Forbes's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Mrs M Forbes, Windsor Street, Claremont, Western Australia
Was treacherously shot while taking a party of prisoners and died instantly.
TREACHEROUSLY SHOT
BY A GERMAN PRISONER.
FATE OF LIEUTENANT SYDNEY
FORBES.
Writing from the 1st General Hospital, ,Dudley-road, Birmingham, to Mrs. M. Forbes, Melville-street; Cottesloe, Signaller Frank Waterhouse, D Company, 11th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, says: — 'Dear Mrs. Forbes— It is with very deep regret that I have to confirm the news of the untimely death of your son, and my most faithful comrade, Lieutenant Sydney Forbes, who was treacherously shot by a German prisoner on the night of July 25-26. He had taken several prisoners, and had just turned his head to get one of our chaps to escort them in, when one of them snapped up a rifle and shot Syd in the head, death being instantaneous. Only a couple of moments before I had delivered a despatch to him, and as a matter of fact, was with him in some of the thickets of the battle. He was the idol of his men, a splendid leader, and a faithful friend. Mother, mourn not his death. God has called him for higher duties. Syd. has answered his call bravely. Mrs. Forbes, please accept my heartfelt sympathy at your sudden bereavement. May God bless you and console you in your great loss. Syd was buried decently in the little grave yard at Contalmaison, side by side with one of his gallant comrades.'
FORBES.—About July 22, 1916, killed in action, Lieutenant Sydney Trovorrow Forbes, dearly beloved fourth son of Mrs. Mary and the late James Forbes, Melville-st., Osborne, Cottesloe, and brother of Mrs. M. Christie, George, Alick, on active service, Norman, Pearlie, and Jim, aged 22 years and 3 months.
His duty nobly done.
Now the labourer's task is o'er,
Now the battle day is past;
Now upon the further shore,
Lands the voyager at last.
—Inserted by his sorrowing mother, brothers, and sisters, Mrs. M. Forbes, Melville-st., Osborne, Cottesloe.
Click images to start slideshow.