Lieutenant James King Forrester

LIEUTENANT JAMES KING FORRESTER

9543 – 3rd Tunnelling Company

James King Forrester was born in Carderden, Fife, Scotland on 2 November 1889. For seven years he was employed with Bowhill Coal Company Ltd including his apprenticeship and became a mining engineer.

At 26 years of age enlisted in Perth, W.A. passing the medical examination and was sworn in on September 11, 1916. Attestation Forms reveal he was 168cms (5ft 6ins) tall, weighing 72.7kgs (160lbs) with a chest measurement of 94-102cms (37-40ins) as well as a fresh complexion with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Religion given as Presbyterian and next-of-kin was his father Robert Forrester of Swan Street, North Fremantle, W.A.

One month’s basic training began on September 18, 1916 as a Private with the 8/ 51 Battalion, W.A. until October 16, 1916. A transfer to the 22 Depot until November 18, 1916 followed then promoted to the rank of Corporal with the Regimental number 9543, remaining until January 23, 1917.

Corporal was relocated to E.T.O.S. from January 25, until March 27, 1917 and S.O.I. & R.S. concluding on May 31, 1917. On June 1, 1917 returned to E.T.O.S. as Acting Sergeant for the period to September 23, 1917 and transferred to the Technical Battalion at Bendigo, Vic. for a further five months to February 22, 1917 in anticipation of overseas service. Reassigned five days later at Broadmeadows, Vic. to the January Reinforcements Tunnelling Companies as Sergeant for the voyage.

The 61 Reinforcements departed Melbourne, Vic on February 28, 1918 on board HMAT A71 Nestor. The ship would reach Colon, Panama by March 25, 1918 and Newport News by April 3, 1918. They departed on April 9 from Halifax, Nova Scotia and arrived in Liverpool, England at 7 p.m. on April 19, 1918. After a fifty-one day voyage the troops disembarked the next day and were detrained to Tidworth and marched in to No 3 Details camp at Parkhouse where his rank reverted to Sapper during the month’s further training.

Proceeded overseas via Southampton on May 14, 1918 marching in to the Aust. Corps Depot at Rouelles and reverted to the rank of Sergeant three days later. On May 20, 1918 marched out from the Depot to join the 2nd Tunnelling Company in the field.

A reference in the Summary of the 3rd Tunnelling Company’s War Diary states:

A recommendation by Department of Defence for consideration of a commission for Tunnellers, in view of having qualified for a Commission at an official school in Australia was reviewed and by August 13, 1918 received his Commission and appointed as Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Tunnelling Company.

He was posted on September 5, 1918 for duty with the 251st Tunnelling Company R.E remaining until the Armistice. Two days later, notification of his promotion to be Lieutenant was advised and of the decision to continue with his present company.

On December 21, 1918 was granted leave to the U.K. until New Years Day 1919.

A review report for a Temporary Commission by an officer from the 251st Tunnelling Company R.E on January 7, 1919 states:

On January 13, 1919 Lieut. Forrester changed his next-of-kin to his wife Mrs Christina Brown Dunsore Forrester of “Glenogle”, Aberhill, Methel, Fife, Scotland.

A mention in the Summary of the 3rd Tunnelling Company’s War Diary says:

Rehabilitation and maintenance duties were carried out by the Company until recalled to the U.K. on April 21, 1919 to prepare for their return to Australia. They left the Aust. General Base Depot for Havre three days later and disembarked at Southampton and reported to No 2 Group.

Lieutenant Forrester was granted leave by the D.G.R & D. for Non Military Employment with pay and subsistence from April 28 until July 28, 1919. The reason was to further his mining and civil engineering experience with the Allinos United Collieries Ltd, Clydesive Colliery, Uddingston, Glasgow, Scotland.

An extension of leave and a transfer was granted from July 29 to September 30, 1919 with pay and subsistence because the Engineer was in attendance with J. Callender, Royal Bank Buildings, Falk, U.K.

Further leave extension took place from October 1 to October 7, 1919 with pay and subsistence and following this expiration marched out on October 8, 1919 to D.A.A.G. for disposal from England. Final leave was granted from October 8 to October 23, 1919 until embarkation.

Lieutenant Forrester accompanied by his wife, Christina embarked on H.T. Port Napier on December 21, 1919 to return to Australia. Next-of-kin was advised of his return on January 12, 1920.

They disembarked in the 5 Military District (W.A.) on March 1, 1920 and his appointment was terminated on March 8, 1920. (5 M.D.)

For active service overseas Lieutenant James King Forrester was awarded the British Medal (21620) and the Victory Medal (20499). The British War Medal was despatched on October 13, 1924 but returned. Despatched again on December 19, 1924 to “Dunester” Carramarh, W.A. A request for the Victory Medal to be sent to the same address was signed on December 29, 1924 and posted on January 16, 1925.

A Statement of Service was sent on June 25, 1931 to the Repatriation Department.

James King Forrester died on May 7, 1982 in Western Australia.