NEWS FROM THE DARDANELLES.
LETTER FROM TROOPER E. TOHILL.
We have been permitted to read some letters from Trooper E. Tohill to his brothers at Alexandra. This young man is one of a captain's bodyguard and was able to get letters posted. The other lads have not that opportunity hence their silence during the present campaign. We extract the following from a letter to "Jack" Tohill: — "We have all been in action some time now except the mounted men, and they soon will be. We had a great battle on "Black Sunday" as we call it, for we lost a lot of our cobbers that day. I will never forget it, it was a sight that I think will never again be seen in any warfare. I was a bit nervous the first day or two not knowing what minute I might fall, for the shrapnel was killing our fellows by the dozen. I was speaking to Roy Forrest yesterday. He was hit with a bullet through the left side and another grazed his forehead, but he is alright and walking about. -Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 7/7/1915.
Roy Forrest was a sergeant in the Alexandra Rifles, and one of the best rifle shots in the Central. He was in every shooting team which competed for the Goldfields Challenge Shield since and including 1907. He was a very consistent 'shot,' and one of the coolest men to be found on the range. His advice on matters concerning shooting was at all times sound, and he had the habit (too rare I will admit) of not speaking unless he had something worth while to say. I was pleased to see that he has been promoted to corporal, but I do not think he will stop at that if he has any chance. A large number have gone to the front who belonged to the Rifles in my time, but they do not call for any special mention, although I am certain none of them will ever bring dishonor on Central Otago. I trust those remembrances will be of interest to you. [They certainly are; and we thank our correspondent, who prefers to remain incognito, for his kindness in supplying us with the information. — Ed. A H] -Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 25/8/1915.
Corporal Roy Forrest, one of the first men to leave Alexandra for the battlefield, has been wounded twice on Gallipoli. The second wound is in the back, the result of shrapnel. Roy has been removed to London. Another Alexandra boy — Private Andrew Larson of the Fifth Reinforcements — is reported slightly sick at Malta. -Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 15/9/1915.
Information has been received that Sergeant Roy Forrest, who has been in the firing line for a long time, has been promoted to the rank of sergeant-major. He joined the Expeditionary Forces at the beginning of the war, and served in the Gallipoli campaign, where he was wounded. After recovering from his wounds Sergeant-major Forrest was sent back to Gallipoli, where he . remained until the evacuation. He left Egypt with the New Zealanders for France where he has been ever since. -Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 28/2/1917.
Alexandra ought to be proud of Sergeant Roy Forrest who has worthily won his honours as a shot. Roy was a top-notcher, and he had every point of the military game at his finger ends. He did not stop to think but went off almost before anyone knew it, to do his duty without any persuasion. It is men like that, who have ennobled the name of Maoriland. -NZ Herald, 29/7/1917.
NEWS FROM THE BOYS (excerpt)
Farrier Sergeant Tucker writes a short letter of thanks, but manages to impart a lot of news therein. Writing from "somewhere in France" he expresses his appreciation of the parcel the contents of which, every article, being very acceptable. He mentions having seen Leslie Thomson and Bruce Thomson several times lately, and reports both looking well. Roy Forrest he met the day before Roy left for England to sit tor his commission; he also was in good health. -Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 20/10/1918.
PERSONAL.
Lieutenant Roy Forrest. Mr and Mrs Baekholm, of Alexandra, arrived home last Friday evening. There was a large crowd of local residents present on the platform on the arrival of the train. The local brass band, of which Roy was a member, was also present and played patriotic airs previous to and on the arrival of the train. The Mayor (Mr W. Black) and Cr Ashworth spoke a few words of welcome, and on call three hearty cheers were given for Lieutenant Forrest. The band accommodated on Mr A. Butler's motor lorry, played Roy to his home. Corporal T. J. Anderson and Private L. J. Anderson are on a visit to their sister, Mrs George Smith of Alexandra. Both are local boys, sons of Mr and Mrs L. Anderson who resided for very many years in Alexandra leaving the district shortly before the war. Corporal Anderson left with the 6th Reinforcements and his brother with the 5th, so both have seen lengthy periods of active service at Gallipoli and France. The young men are well known to the older residents who are very pleased to have this opportunity of renewing acquaintances. -Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 16/7/1919.
WELCOME-HOME SOCIAL.
The local Town Hall was well filled on Tuesday evening, 22nd July, on the occasion of a welcome-home to several local returned soldiers. The Mayor (Mr W. Black) presided and was accompanied to the platform by the parents and relatives of the soldiers being honoured. The guests included Lieutenant Roy Forrest, Corporal T. J. Anderson, Corporal A. Hawley, Trooper P. Weaver, Sapper J. Love, Driver R Gartley, Privates L. J. Anderson, J. Dougherty, W. Thomson. A varied programme of vocal and elocutionary items was rendered in which the following took part:— Mesdames Sutherland, McLean, Werner, Misses Hatley, Hannay and Moorhead, Messrs J. Mitchell, C. E. Richards and J. Jamie. The audience enjoyed the concert, several encores being insisted upon. The chairman intimated apologies for absence from Rev. Mr Standring and Mr S. T. Spain. In welcoming the returned soldiers back, the Mayor mentioned that Lieutenant Forrest was among the first to volunteer for active service on the outbreak of war. He was one of five brothers who had served their country. The mother of these boys (Mrs Backholm) was on the stage that night and on the call of the Mayor three rousing cheers were given for her. Corporal T. J. Anderson and Private L. J. Anderson were brothers. Trooper P. Weaver was one of four brothers who had enlisted. They were glad to have all the guests back safely and wished them good health and happiness in their future days.
Lieutenant Forrest replied on behalf of his comrades and himself. He thanked all present for the very hearty reception. He paid a tribute to the good work of the Women's Patriotic Association and assured his audience that had it not been for the work of women folk in sewing guilds, as Red Cross workers, as munition workers and every other department of war work, the soldiers could not have won through. The woman had played their part as well as the men. Some of his comrades had shown their appreciation by marrying the "blighty" girls (laughter). He thanked the band for meeting him at the station. He thought it would have ceased to exist owing to so many members being away. It was a pleasant surprise to find otherwise. Great credit was due to the remaining members who had kept it going. Lieutenant Forrest gave a brief outline of the various places where he had been in the course of the campaign since leaving New Zealand in 1914. He had been through the Gallipoli campaign, where he received his wound. Had taken part in the offensive at the Somme, at Messines and the big German offensive of March 1918, when things looked black. It had been his fortunate lot to take part in the victorious march into Germany. They were all glad to get back home, and appreciated the warm welcome extended to them by their townspeople.
Supper was provided by the ladies of the Patriotic Association and enjoyed by the large company. Thereafter the hall was cleared for dancing, the music for which was kindly supplied by various willing helpers. The band gave selections outside the hall while the audience gathered. Mr W. Bowler rendered as usual the very useful service of doorkeeper. -Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 30/7/1919.
PERSONAL.
Mr D. S. Smart has disposed of his well-known Kairoa Orchard, at Earnscleugh to Mr Roy Forrest. -Dunstan Times, 4/10/1920.
OBITUARY
Mr JAMES ROY FORREST
The death occurred at Dunedin on May 21st after a long illness, of Mr James Roy Forrest, a well and favourably known orchardist of Earnscleugh. The second son of the late Mr and Mrs William Forrest, he was born at Alexandra 56 years ago. He enlisted early in the last war and served for a long period and with much distinction. He held the rank of Lieut., and up till recently, when ill health compelled him to resign, he was O. C. the Clyde section of the Home Guard. He was a member of the Foresters Lodge, Court Pride of Alexandra, and for a number of years was a keen member of the Alexandra Brass Band. A fine athlete, he was one of the best forwards the Alexandra and Clyde football clubs had at that time. He was an excellent rifle shot and was a keen member of the early rifle clubs. He leaves a wife (nee Miss May Farrell, of Clyde) and family of four, two sons and two daughters. The funeral, a military one, was held at Alexandra on Sunday afternoon. -Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, 26/5/1943.
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