49524 Pte Ernest Thomas Forrest 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

[Bob Norman]

Hello I have recently acquired the following group of medals; Great War ‘Dadizeele, October 1918’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Private E. T. Forrest, 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, late South Lancashire Regiment.
Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (59524 Pte. E. T. Forrest. 1/R. Innis: Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (202850 Pte. E. Forrest. S. Lan. R.); Belgium, Kingdom, Military Decoration, A.I.R., silver-gilt; Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., D.C.M. London Gazette 18 February 1919; citation published 10 January 1920:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and tenacity during an enemy counter-attack near Dadizeele on 2nd October, 1918. He was No. 1 of a Lewis gun on the left flank of a company which was heavily engaged. The No. 2 of the gun was wounded in fetching up ammunition, and he rushed across the open and carried him to cover; then bringing up more ammunition himself, put up such a heavy fire that the enemy hesitated, and gave the company time to recover and drive them back.’
Belgian Military Decoration with Croix de Guerre London Gazette 24 October 1919.
Of the counter-attack near Dadizeele, the History of the 9th (Scottish) Division records: ‘Lt.-Col. Smyth saw the Germans collecting troops for a great counter-strike, and the K.O.S.B. were bracing themselves for a desperate resistance at Manhattan Farm, when the timely arrival of the 1st Inniskilling Fusiliers, who made a most heroic attack on Hill 41 from the north, scared the enemy and turned his efforts solely to defence. Though the Inniskillings failed to capture the hill, their plucky effort probably saved the K.O.S.B., and so great was the admiration of the latter and the troops of the 9th Division who witnessed the attack, that the G.O.C., at their request, wrote at once to the 36th Division expressing the admiration and thanks of the officers and men of the 9th.’
Ernest Thomas. Forrest is believed to have been born at Prescot, Lancashire in 1897, and at the time of winning the D.C.M. was living at St Helens. His prior service in the South Lancashire Regiment and change of service number is confirmed on his Medal Index Card.
Formerley Pte 202850 South Lanc Reg.Have his London Gazette entry for DCM and that for the Decoration Militaire avec CroixDe Guerre.I should like to add more personal details to this brave individual and any map references relating to the incident which I believe involved the 1st Inniskillings heroic attack on Hill 41?

Many thanks for any assistance.
 

 

[Michelle Young]

 

War diaries for 1st here

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7354042

 

[Bob Norman]

Hello Michelle

Woops! senior moment and I seem to have confused myself.

The individual for my current search should be 49524 Pte Ernest Thomas Forrest 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Somehow I got back to a previous search question  about  49734 Pte J Hutchinson DCM & Croix de Guerre Ryl Innis.Fus?

Thank you so much for the link to the Bn War diaries.

I hope that I am forgiven.

In the meantime I must go and lie down with an aspirin.

Cheers,

Bob Norman

[Michelle Young]

I’ve edited the thread title. Hopefully all sorted now! 

[Matlock1418]

Private Ernest Thomas FORREST, 49524, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, formerly South Lancashire Regiment.

WFA/Fold3 have pension records:

An unspecified condition disability claim: Discharged 15-2-19 awarded 8/3 pw from 16.2.19 to 19.8.19. Claim ended on or before DEAD, 20-9-26 [8/3pw was 30% degree of disability for a pension Class V soldier / Pte - DEAD refers to the claim]

A widow's claim: Doris Eveline FORREST - Date of her husband's death given as 23.12.68

M

Edited 8 November by Matlock1418
typo

[Matlock1418]

3 hours ago, Bob Norman said:

Ernest Thomas. Forrest is believed to have been born at Prescot, Lancashire in 1897

24 minutes ago, Matlock1418 said:

death given as 23.12.68

From FreeBMD: Death potentially registered in Wirral

Deaths Dec 1968   (>99%)
FORREST	ERNEST T	71	WIRRAL	10A	842

GRO do not have online records for 1968

M

Edited 8 November by Matlock1418
source

[Bob Norman]

HelloMatlock

Very many thanks for your assistance as before with my other "Skins" enquiry.

Cheers!