FORSYTH, Samuel Francis

4/400, Sergeant, NZ Engineers (att 2nd Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment), WW1

CITATION

Victorai Cross

Gazetted 22 October 1918, p12487

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On nearing the objective his company came under heavy machine-gun fire. Through

Sergeant 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. Sergeant Forsyth then organized 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 non-commissioned officer was at that moment killed by a sniper.

From the commencement of the attack until the time of his death Sergeant Forsyth's courage and coolness, combined with great power of initiative,

proved an invaluable incentive to all those who were with him, and he undoubtedly saved many casualties among his comrades.

KNOWN AWARDS

Victoria Cross

British War Medal

Victory Medal

NOTES

Born 3 April 1891, Wellington, New Zealand

Killed in action 24 August 1918 Grevillers, France

Buried at Adanac Military Cemetery, France

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT