681885 GNR. F. J. FORSYTH.  R.F.A.

 

Frederick James Forsyth was born in the first quarter of 1894 in Liverpool.  His father was James Forsyth (b. 1865 in Dumfries), a dock labourer.  His mother was Jeanie Edgar (b. 1869 in Dumfries).  James and Jeanie were married in Scotland in 1889; their first son, George Edgar was born there in 1892 and the family moved to Liverpool shortly afterwards.  Fred was their second child, followed by Isabella (b. 1897).  Jeanie died in 1906.  In 1911, James was living with his three children at 11 Clifton Street, Everton.  Fred was working as a grocer’s assistant.

 

Fred enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery in 1915 along with a group of men from Liverpool who were posted to “D” Battery in 286 Brigade.  His initial service number was 4629.  However, he was later transferred, possibly during training, to another Brigade.  He was given another service number, 2737 (which could be B/286), and later this became 681885.  He finally ended up in “D” Battery of 108 Brigade.  108Bde was originally part of 21st Division but in early 1917, following a reorganisation, it became an army brigade.  I don’t know what actions 108Bde took part in.  We only know from CWGC and SDGW that Fred was killed in action near Poperinghe on 24 June 1917.  He was 23 years old.

 

Rank:  Gunner

Service No:  681885 (CWGC records 2737)

Date of Death:  24/06/1917

Regiment/Service:  Royal Field Artillery, “D” Bty, 108 Bde.

Cemetery/memorial reference:  II. A. 23.

Cemetery/Memorial:  POPERINGHE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY

Additional Information:  Son of James and the late Jeanie Forsyth, of 32 China Street, Everton, Liverpool.

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