39270 David Walter Arthur William FORBES, MC, 3 Coldstream Guards: 13/11/1943

Discussion in 'The Brigade of Guards' started by dbf, May 17, 2009.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Personal Number: 39270
    Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel
    Name: David Walter Arthur William FORBES, MC
    Unit: 3 Coldstream Guards


    London Gazette : 3 February 1931
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33686/page/746/data.pdf
    FOOT GUARDS.
    C. G'ds.—
    The undermentioned 2nd Lts. to be Lts.
    2nd Feb.1931:—
    D. W. A. W. Forbes.


    London Gazette : 25 April 1941
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35144/supplement/2346/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the undermentioned awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East:—
    The Military Cross
    Captain David Walter Arthur William Forbes (39270), Coldstream Guards.


     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2020
  2. dbf

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    Last edited: Sep 8, 2020
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Casualty Details | CWGC
    Name and Rank: LIEUTENANT COLONEL DAVID WALTER ARTHUR WILLIAM FORBES
    Service Number: 39270
    Regiment & Unit/Ship: Coldstream Guards, 3rd Bn.
    Date of Death: Died 13 November 1943
    Age 37 years old
    Buried or commemorated at CASSINO MEMORIAL
    Memorial Reference: Panel 3.
    Location: Italy
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2020
  4. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    FORBES David Lt. Col..png
    39270 Lt. Col. David Walter Arthur William FORBES 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards
    13th October 1907 Herbertshire Castle, Dunipace Falkirk - Died of wounds 13th November 1943 Italy aged 34
    Casualty

    The Falkirk Herald Saturday 4th December 1943

    WAR CASUALTIES
    DIED OF WOUNDS
    Lt-Col. David W.A.W. Forbes M.C.,Coldstream Guards, second (twin) son of Mr and Mrs Charles William Forbes, of Callendar, is officially reported to have died of wounds received in action. His twin brother, Captain St. John W.A.W. Forbes, also of the Coldstream Guards, was killed in action at Dunkirk. His elder brother, William Forbes was taken prisoner while commanding a battalion of the Coldstream Guards at Tobruk, and is now a prisoner of war in Germany.

    Lieut-Colonel Forbes, who was at Tobruk at the same time as his elder brother, managed to fight his way out with a number of men, and later succeeded to the command of the battalion. In May, 1941, when he held the rank of captain, he was awarded the Military Cross. The citation in the respect of the award stated :-

    “Captain Forbes led his company with untiring energy, dash and judgment during a series of attacks on enemy positions. When his company, encountering an enemy strongpoint in a sandstorm, were pinned down by heavy fire at close range, and the leading truck was set on fire, Captain Forbes rescued three wounded men, and although exposed to heavy fire, attempted to save others in the truck while the ammunition in it was exploding. Later, his skill and personal courage were responsible for his company, with their wounded, being extricated from a precarious position without further casualties.”

    Born at Herbertshire Castle, near Denny, 38 years ago, Lieut-Colonel Forbes was educated at Eton, where, like his brothers, he was a keen athlete and played for the first cricket eleven; while several years ago he was in Canada with the M.C.C. team. He was particularly prominent as a bowler. His athletic activities, however were not confined to the cricket field, for he played a good deal of rugby, and after passing from Sandhurst into the Army he played many capital games of both cricket and rugby for the Army.

    Lieut.-Colonel Forbes married in 1931, Miss Diana Mary Henderson, daughter of the late Captain the Hon. Arnold Henderson, O.B.E. and the granddaughter of the first Lord Faringdon, by whom and by two children, a son and a daughter, he is survived.
     
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