John James Forster

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Thu, 06/04/2017 - 14:28

First Name:

John

Middle Name:

James

Last Name:

Forster

Date of Birth:

Friday, May 22, 1896

Mother's Name:

Sophy/ Sophie Forster nee Gooud

Father's Name:

John Forster

Date Enlisted:

Sunday, October 8, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Lieutenant

Unit:

Heavy Artillery Battery

Company:

36th

Service:

Artillery

Awards:

Military Medal

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Wednesday, December 25, 1985

Details:

John Forster (Service No 31189) was born in Wollongong, N.S.W.

At enlistment John was single, 20 years old and employed as a teacher, and lived in Kurri Kurri, N.S.W. John had served 3 years with the Cadets and 2 years with the CMF. He had just graduated from Sydney University.

John embarked from Sydney on RMS Orontes with 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column, 12th Reinforcement on 19th December 1916. The troops arrived in England on 17th February 1917 and John joined the Australian Siege Battery in France on 1st March 1917.

He suffered an accidental knee injury while working his gun on 27th July 1917 but was back on duty soon after.

John was recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal for his actions in September & October 1917 with the 1st Australian Siege Artillery Battery.

On 30th August 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal for his actions with the 26th Australian Heavy Artillery Brigade. His Military Medal was declared in the London Gazette, 29th August 1918 and the Commonwealth Gazette, 2nd January 1919.

John was selected for Officer training and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 31st January 1919 with promotion to Lieutenant on 30th April 1919.

While serving in France John met Berthe Leona Vanquickelberge and the couple married on 31st March 1919 at Tourcoing, France.

John & Berthe returned to Australia with his wife in August 1919 and John was discharged from the AIF on 20th November 1919.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, FORSTER J J