240067, Sergeant, John FORRESTER
Aged 20
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Born in Newmarket in Q3-1897 [Newmarket 3b:503], 2nd son of Robert and Hannah FORRESTER (née WISEMAN) of 2 Rosa Cottages, Lisburn
Road, Newmarket. 1901 census...John [3] was living at 2 Rosa Cottages, Lisburn Road, Newmarket with his father Robert [34], a bricklayer; his mother Hannah [36]; sisters Elizabeth [11] and Lavinia [9] and brothers Alfred [8] and Robert [1]. The whole family were born in Newmarket. 1911 census...John [14] was still at 2 Rosa Cottages with his parents and brothers, neither of his sisters were there. John enlisted in Newmarket. His younger brother Robert was killed in 1918.. see here |
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On 10th November 1917 the 2nd battalion appear to have been resting between battles in Europe, one other man of the 2nd Suffolks died that
day. They were at Mory, and had paraded the previous day for medal presentations. On the 2nd they were just training in the morning, 2
companies having baths in the afternoon. Nothing has been found to explain his death. "Soldiers Died" records "died in action" so perhaps
he was with a different battalion..
The Bury Free Press of 17th November 1917 reported:- SUFFOLK BUGLER'S DEATH - SMART NEWMARKET YOUNG MAN Mr.R.Forrester, who is well known in Newmarket as a fireman and a member of the TownBand, has just received news of the death of his second son, Sergt.John Forrester. The deceased, who was 20 years of age, was a bugler in the Suffolk Territorials, and was mobilised with his battalion upon the outbreak of the war. He had been a sergeant over two years, and was drafted to France last August. He was killed on November 10th by a shell explosion. In letters to his parents, his officers speak very highly of his courage, resourcefulness and smartness,both in the field and on parade. At the time of his death, despite his youth, he was doing duty as platoon sergeant. |
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