The AIF Project

Robert FORBES

Regimental number3313
Place of birthArdshaw, Strabane, Co Tyrone, Ireland
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationLift inspector
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation29
Height5' 6.75"
Weight146 lbs
Next of kinBrother, J J Forbes, Midghy, Castlederg County Tyrone, Ireland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date7 March 1915
Place of enlistmentLiverpool, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name21st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/38/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 18 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll57th Battalion
FateEffective abroad (still overseas)
Discharge date7 February 1920
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength of 60th Bn, Tel-el-Kebir, 26 February 1916. Transferred to 57th Bn, Tel-el-Kebir, 15 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria on HT 'Transylvania', 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 23 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 25 November 1916; admitted to 21st Casualty Clearing Station, 26 November 1916 (nervous shock); discharged to duty, 1 December 1916; rejoined unit in field, 2 December 1916; proceeded to England on leave, 9 January 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 15 February 1917.

Admitted to 1/1/SM Casualty Clearing Station, 27 March 1917 (gonorrhoea); transferred to Ambulance Train '4', 29 March 1917; to 27 General Hospital, Etaples, 4 April 1917; discharged to 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot, 13 May 1917 (total period of treatment for venereal disease: 48 days); rejoined unit in the field, 17 May 1917.

Admitted to 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, 25 September 1917; transferred to 15th Casualty Clearing Station, 27 September 1917; to Ambulance Train '10', 1 October 1917, and admitted to 56th General Hospital, Etaples (not yet determined); to 26th General Hospital, Etaples, 3 October 1917; to No 6 Convalescent Depot, 5 October 1917; discharged to duty, 28 November 1917; marched into 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Havre, 30 November 1917; marched out, 1 January 1918; rejoined unit in the field, 4 January 1918; proceeded to England on leave, 27 January 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 5 March 1918; proceeded to England on leave, 20 August 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 8 October 1918.

Found guilty, 7 November 1918, of being absent without leave, 6.00 am, 5 September, to 6.00 am, 6 September 1918: awarded a fine of 1 days' pay; forfeited total of 31 days' pay; marched out from unit for technical classes at AEMM, 7 December 1918; rejoined unit, 30 January 1919; moved out from field, 2 April 1919. Disembarked Southampton, 10 April 1919; granted extended leave for family reasons, 11 April 1919; rejoined unit from leave, 10 October 1919; reported to DAAG, 14 October 1919; marched into Depot, Sutton Veny, 15 October 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on HT 'Nestor', 1 November 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 15 December 1919. Discharged Sydney, 7 February 1920.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
SourcesNAA: B2455, FORBES Robert

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