The AIF Project

Unit: INF41
Promotion date: 6 January 1919

Unit: INF41
Promotion date: 6 April 1919

Recommendation date: 13 August 1918

Recommendation date: 9 October 1918

'On 8/8/18 during the operations on the Somme, east of Hamel, Sergeant Forster kept well forward of his platoon during the whole of the advance, cleaned up several dugouts single-handed and captured a number of prisoners. On reaching the objective he immediately set in position two enemy machine-guns which his platoon used to great advantage in keeping down the enemy's fire during consolidation and also materially assisting the advance of the 4th Australian Division. His courage and absolute disregard for his personal safety, combined with his skilful leadership, set a high example to all ranks under his command.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919

On 29 September 1918, during operations South of Bony, when the situation was obscure, Sergeant Forster volunteered on three different occasions under heavy machine-gun fire to patrol and get in touch with neighbouring units. Once when the patrol was scattered by heavy artillery fire, he showed great coolness and leadership in reorganising his men and succeeded in getting in touch with the foremost troops of another Battalion, who were then within 40 yards of the enemy and engaged in a bombing fight. On night 12 October 1918 his company was ordered to take up a new position. Sergeant Forster who had been over the route once, volunteered and guided the company over very difficult ground covered with shell holes and wire, to a new position in the quickest possible time, despite the fact that the night was extremely dark and heavy rain was falling. Throughout the operations Sergeant Forster showed keenness and reliability and resource of the highest order.
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919