Arthur Henry Thomas Forster
- Family History
- Military History
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He was the son of Henry Forster (1845-1913) and Sarah Ellen (née Tanner 1848-1891). He was the brother of Elizabeth and Stella Forster (Oliver). In 1911, he was lodging with 44 year old gasworks labourer William West and his 46 year old wife Ellen at 11, Walker Terrace, Bunbury Street, Meadows, Nottingham. The West’s 6 year old nephew Percival Murfitt lived with them. Shortly after the 1911 Census was taken, Arthur Forster evidently emigrated to Australia. In 1913, he married Alice Johnson (1895-1966) in Queensland and their son Gordon Henry Forster was born 7/4/1914. Their second son Donald Arthur was born 8/11/1917.
Arthur Forster enlisted at Derby 11/2/1901 aged 19 (196706) Royal Scots Fusiliers. He deserted 2/1/1902. In Australia, Forster apparently declared 7 years previous service with Gordon Highlanders but his ASR includes no evidence to support this claim. Using the first name Albert, he enlisted 18/8/1914 at Brisbane and deployed with 'C' Coy 9th Bn AIF aboard HMAT Omrah, landing at Egypt 2/12/1914 and Gallipoli 25/4/1915. His second deployment overseas was with 15th Bn AIF, 25th Reinforcement 14/6/1917 aboard HMAT A20 Horarata. Near Hébuterne, Pas-de-Calais France, he died of a shrapnel wound to the groin/thigh while on the front line at the Bois de Gommecourt. He is buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No1, Grave Reference: VI G 41 Thanks to Julian Putkowski for his help with this identification.
Forster's birth was registered O/N/D 1881 so he was 36 when killed not 37 as cited by CWGC.
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