Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: Anthony Alexander Forrest

Ancestor's date of birth: 1884

Ancestor's date of death: 15/05/1901

Cause of Death: Killed in action at Carolina in the Transvaal.

Service and Life Before the Boer War: Born Perth WA son of Alexander Forrest Explorer/Politician who was brother to John Forrest explorer/politician and later Lord Forrest . Attended The High School became a prefect {later to become Hale School}. Excelled as a sportsman. As bowman for the school he won the first head of River in 1899/kept wickets for cricket/played football which gave him a place in the Perth Football Club debuting against Fremantle Club. He was the first West Australian footballer to be killed on active duty and the only footballer to be killed in the Boer war. He was also the first Hale School boy to be killed on active service ...All only 16 years

Service Number: Officer - no number

Colony or State of enlistment: WA Place of Enlistment: Perth

Unit: 5^th Western Australian Mounted Infantry

Rank attained in Boer War: LT, Date Effective: Prior to enlistment

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): Did not survive the Boer War.

Murray Page: 421 and 440

Contingent: Fifth Western Australian

Ship: Devon, Date of Sailing: 06/03/1901

Memorial details: Buried at Middleburg

Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Orange Free State, Transvaal clasps. Mention in Despatches (MID)

Personal Characteristics: Excellent sportsman in many fields.

Reasons to go and fight: No known reason Went down to enlist and was accepted. Enlisted against his fathers wishes

Details of service in war: From April 1901 in east Transvaal. Shot by Boers during a skirmish at Grobelaar Recht near Carolina in the Transvaal on 15 May 1901. Two other men were killed in the engagement. Lieutenant Forrest was Mentioned in Commander-in-Chief's despatches 8 July 1901.

Service and life after the Boer War: Did not survive the Boer War.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Gaye Drummond Atkinson, Swanbourne WA
Relationship to Ancestor: Grand Niece

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