William Thomas Forshaw

Lieutenant, 1st/9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment

Register No.: 419 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank: Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
Unit: 1st/9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment all Manchester Regiment VCs →
Date of action: 7–9 August 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
Conflict / campaign: First World War
London Gazette: 9th September 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
Born: 20th April 1890 at Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire
Died: 26th May 1943 at Holyport, Berkshire
Memorial / grave: at Touchen End Cemetery, Holyport, Berkshire

Digest of citation

During the period 7th/9th August 1915 in Gallipoli, when holding the north-west corner of ''The Vineyard '' against heavy attacks by the Turks, Lieutenant Forshaw not only directed his men but personally threw bombs continuously for over 40 hours. When his detachment was relieved, he volunteered to continue directing the defence. Later, when the Turks captured a portion of the trench, he shot three of them and recaptured it. It was due to his fine example and magnificent courage that this very important position was held

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

FORSHAW William Thomas. (reg No. 419).

Lieutenant. 1st/9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.

London Gazetted on 9th September 1915.

Born on 20th April 1890 at Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire.

Died on 26th May 1943 at Holyport, Berkshire.

Memorial on grave at Touchen End Cemetery, Holyport, Berkshire.

Digest of Citation reads: During the period 7th/9th August 1915 in Gallipoli, when holding the north-west corner of ''The Vineyard '' against heavy attacks by the Turks, Lieutenant Forshaw not only directed his men but personally threw bombs continuously for over 40 hours. When his detachment was relieved, he volunteered to continue directing the defence. Later, when the Turks captured a portion of the trench, he shot three of them and recaptured it. It was due to his fine example and magnificent courage that this very important position was held.

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Alf recorded the memorial as: at Touchen End Cemetery, Holyport, Berkshire

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