S/Sgt
David Drynan Forbes
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 26/03/1892 |
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Place of birth: Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Engineer |
Army information
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Country: Scotland, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Staff Serjeant |
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Service number: 148869 |
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Enlistment date: 22/10/1914 |
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Enlistment place: Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Royal Garrison Artillery, 326th Siege Bty. (Last known unit) — Seaforth Highlanders, 7th Bn. |
Information about death
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Date of death: 20/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Verbrandenmolen, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 25 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 6 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Gun positions | ||
| #4 | Memorial cross |
My story
Staff Sergeant David Drynan Forbes was born on the 26th of March 1892 in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to Mr. John Forbes and Mrs. Jane Drynan. He went to school at St. John’s Grammar School in Hamilton and worked as an engineer prior to enlisting on the 22nd of October 1914.
He was eventually taken on by the 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. David served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 9th May, 1915. He was gassed at Loos in 1916 and wounded twice. After which in February 1917 he was taken on by the 326th Siege Battery, 98th Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery.
At the 10th of September 1917 the 98th Brigade Royal Garrison Battery started preparing their positions and laying post lines as well as telephone lines in the area of Verbrandenmolen (I.28). As such on 20 September they took part in the Battle of the Menin Road, a sub battle of the Battle of Passchendaele 1917, giving artillery support. Staff Serjeant Forbes was killed in action on 20 September 1917. His commanding officer later praised him in a letter to his mother, stating that “Your son’s merits stood out conspicuously, and I am bringing his conduct to the notice of higher authority. He was a hard worker and a skilful craftsman, and a fearless soldier. You may be very proud of him.” His remembrance cross was later found near Verbrandenmolen (I.28.c.9.9.). As his remains have never been recovered or identified, he is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial on panel 6.
He was eventually taken on by the 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. David served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 9th May, 1915. He was gassed at Loos in 1916 and wounded twice. After which in February 1917 he was taken on by the 326th Siege Battery, 98th Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery.
At the 10th of September 1917 the 98th Brigade Royal Garrison Battery started preparing their positions and laying post lines as well as telephone lines in the area of Verbrandenmolen (I.28). As such on 20 September they took part in the Battle of the Menin Road, a sub battle of the Battle of Passchendaele 1917, giving artillery support. Staff Serjeant Forbes was killed in action on 20 September 1917. His commanding officer later praised him in a letter to his mother, stating that “Your son’s merits stood out conspicuously, and I am bringing his conduct to the notice of higher authority. He was a hard worker and a skilful craftsman, and a fearless soldier. You may be very proud of him.” His remembrance cross was later found near Verbrandenmolen (I.28.c.9.9.). As his remains have never been recovered or identified, he is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial on panel 6.
Sources 1
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British First World War Trench Maps, 1915-1918 https://maps.nls.uk/view/101464900 Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1632153 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=7e1c0022-5fa2-40ed-a6c0-7cdf2bd4bce7 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/2501247 |