Hugh Alexander Forrest

Born 30 May 1893 - Died 12 Oct 1917

Service number: WWI 30104 AWMM
Also known as: —
Armed force / branch: Army AWMM
Last rank: WW1 Lieutenant/Military AWMM New Zealand Rifle Brigade AWMM
War: World War I, 1914-1918 AWMM

Hugh Alexander Forrest — Portrait of H. A. Forrest. Auckland Grammar School chronicle. 1917, v.5, n.2. Image has no known copyright restrictions. No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Biographical information

Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Forrest, of Rotorua, New Zealand.

Member of the College Rifles Rugby Football Club

Attended Auckland Grammar School.

Attended Auckland University College (now the University of Auckland).

"Lieutenant Hugh Alexander Forrest: A determined and courageous leader.

Born in 1893 in Wellington but moving to Auckland at an early age due to his father’s career as a postmaster, Hugh Forrest (known as Alex) showed an early desire for military service. He undertook territorial service with the Junior Cadets from the age of 14, before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and placed in charge of the 54th Company (North Auckland) Senior Cadets in 1912.

“He had always taken a keen interest in military matters, and was in the College Rifles till he transferred to the Takapuna Senior Cadets as Lieutenant – in-Charge”

-Obituary for H. A. Forrest. Auckland Grammar School chronicle. 1917, v.5, n.2. p.16.

In 1915, he moved to the 18th Company (Auckland) Senior Cadets based in the suburb of Ponsonby, closer to his family home and his university classes. Upon completing a law degree in May 1916, Forrest left a promising career as a solicitor in July to enlist with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

Following promotion to lieutenant in charge of J Company 22nd Reinforcements, he embarked on the SS Navua at Wellington on the 15th of February, 1917 arriving in England on 26th April. In June he was appointed a platoon commander within ‘B’ Company, 2nd Battalion the 3rd New Zealand Rifles Brigade on the front line in France.

Lieutenant Forrest was killed, aged 24, during the attack on Bellevue Spur. His body was recovered, and later buried in the New Irish Farm Cemetery, in Ypres.

Forest is mentioned on many memorials throughout Devonport, as well as the College Rifles Rugby Club, and the Auckland War Memorial Museum World War One Hall of Memories." Excerpt from Coombe, Sophie. 'Faces of Passchendaele', Auckland War Memorial Museum - Tāmaki Paenga Hira, Published: 12/10/2018.

Next of Kin: Mr W. Forrest, Rotorua (Roll of Honour, Auckland Province 1914-1918 (Volume 1)) AWMM

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Hugh Alexander Forrest