Albert FORREST

Regimental number2953
Place of birthStanhope England
ReligionMethodist
OccupationBoxmaker
Address'Ivy Cottage', Castleside, Durham, England
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation26
Next of kinMother, Mrs Mary Forrest, 'Ivy Cottage', Castleside, Durham, England
Enlistment date16 March 1915
Rank on enlistmentLance Corporal
Unit name5th Field Ambulance, "B" Section
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/48/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 25 June 1915
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal RollA.C. Headquarters
FateEffective abroad (still overseas)
Medals

Military Medal

'The men [2879 C.O. POWER, 2953 A. FORREST, 13629 E.C. MUNRO, 2807 B.C. BARWICK] formed a stretcher squad carrying wounded on May 3rd North of NOREUIL during the intensity of the bombardment. While so engaged they were in the vicinity of a Trench Mortar Shell Dump near NOREUIL, when an enemy shell fell in the dump causing a fire and great explosion killing and wounding a number of men near by. The stretcher squad with utter disregard of danger rushed to the spot and attended the wounded and carried them away in safety, in spite of a intense enemy barrage following on the explosion. They carried wounded continuously for 36 hours in spite of heavy barrages. Between the hours of 4 and 6 a.m. on that date the barrage was particularly heavy and there were no troops moving on the road at the time on account of the heavy fire. In spite of this 28 cases were carried 1 3/4 miles to a place of safety. During this time they frequently stopped to attend to wounded on the way.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189
Date: 8 November 1917

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal