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Serjeant SAMUEL FORSYTH

Service Number: 4/400
Regiment & Unit/Ship

New Zealand Engineers

No. 3 Field Coy.

Date of Death

Died 24 August 1918

Age 25 years old

Buried or commemorated at

ADANAC MILITARY CEMETERY, MIRAUMONT

I. I. 39.

France

Famous casualties: headstone of Sjt. S Forsyth, VC in Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, France

Photographer: Unknown

  • Country of Service New Zealand
  • Awards Victoria Cross
  • Additional Info Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Forsyth, of Wellington, New Zealand; husband of Mary S. Forsyth, of 79, John Knox St., Glasgow, Scotland.
  • Additional Citation note

    An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30967, dated 18th Oct., 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On nearing the objective, his company came under heavy machine-gun fire. Through Serjt. Forsyth's dashing leadership and total disregard of danger, three machine-gun positions were rushed and the crews taken prisoner before they could inflict many casualties on our troops. During subsequent advance his company came under heavy fire from several machine guns, two of which he located by a daring reconnaissance. In his endeavour to gain support from a Tank, he was wounded, but after having the wound bandaged, he again got in touch with the Tank, which in the face of very heavy fire from machine guns and anti-Tank guns, he endeavoured to lead with magnificent coolness to a favourable position. The Tank, however, was put out of action. Serjt. Forsyth then organised the Tank crew and several of his men into a section, and led them to a position where the machine guns could be outflanked. Always under heavy fire, he directed them into positions which brought about a retirement of the enemy machine guns and enabled the advance to continue. This gallant N.C.O. was at that moment killed by a sniper. From the commencement of the attack until the time of his death Serjt. Forsyth's courage and coolness, combined with great power of initiative proved an invaluable incentive to all who were with him and he undoubtedly saved many casualties among his comrades."

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