b. 19/12/1866 Leith, Midlothian, Scotland. d. 26/08/1953 Sydney, Australia.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 21/08/1916 Bradford, Yorkshire.
Robert J Forbes AM
Robert was one of four children of Robert and Elizabeth Forbes (nee Arnott). After schooling, he became a bricklayer, before enlisting in the Royal Highland Fusiliers on 9th March 1887. On 12th May 1892 in Glasgow, he married Marion Dykes Hill, and he had left the military, and joined the Fire Brigade. He and Marion had three children, before they moved south of the border, and settled in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Following the award of his Albert Medal (which was initially refused) which he was presented with by King George V on 21st March 1917, he and his family emigrated to Australia in 1920.
AM CITATION:
On the 21st of August, 1916, at 2.30 p.m., a fire broke out at the works of the Low Moor Munition Company, Limited. Three motor fire engines answered the alarm, one of which, in charge of the Chief Officer, drove into the yard of the premises, where a violent explosion had already taken place, while the other two remained outside. Another explosion took place almost immediately, injuring the Chief Officer and his chauffeur, and stunning Superintendent Forbes. On recovery Forbes went to the assistance of the Chief Officer and chauffeur, when a still more violent explosion occurred, killing seven firemen and seriously injuring twelve others, including Forbes. Forbes nevertheless brought the Chief Officer to a place of safety and returned and rescued two other injured firemen, who would otherwise have lost their lives. After driving the engines away from the yard, and thus saving them from damage, he collapsed. His injuries incapacitated him from duty for five weeks.
BURIAL LOCATION: WORONARA MEMORIAL PARK, SUTHERLAND, AUSTRALIA.
ASHES SCATTERED.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
