Samuel Forrest was born on 16th September 1888 at Hardwick, Clumber and was named after his father. Shortly after he was born, Sam's parents moved back to Whitwell where Sam Forrest senior originally hails.
His parents lived and worked on a few farms in Whitwell as he was growing up, so it was inevitable that Sam would follow in their footsteps. He went to work and live at Commonside Farm as a Waggoner for farmer, Arthur Revill. He is later listed as a shepherd.
When the Great War began, Sam, like his brother George signed up under the Derby Scheme, on the 11th December 1915. He was placed on reserve with the Royal Regiment of Artillery, roll number 149540? but not called up to serve until May of the following year. It was decided that he was needed elsewhere and was placed initially in the thirteenth battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, roll number 301902.
In late June 1916, the 23rd Division (of which the 13th battalion was part) was moved south to the Somme and battalion entered the fighting south of La Boisselle on 7 July. In late July and early August, the battalion was involved in desperate fighting around Munster Alley east of Pozieres where they suffered many casualties.
At some point, he was transferred to the 8th battalion of the Durham Light Infantry where he went on to be involved in the Battle of Arras in 1917. It was here he went missing around the second battle around the Scarpe River on the 24th April 1917.
Sams parents knew something was wrong. His mother, Fanny would write and send her sons parcels. They would also write back and send small presents from overseas. One Christmas, she sent her four serving sons a slice of homemade Christmas cake. Sams was returned unopened.
Sam received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service. His body was never recovered and his name appears on the Arras Memorial.
His family always refused to believe he had died and the door at home remained unlocked for his return.
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Topic: Private Sam Forrest, Durham Light Infantry (Read 1211 times)