Personal info

• Name: Samuel FORSYTH
• D.O.B: 3rd May, 1892
• D.O.A: 24th Aug, 1918
• D.O.D: 24th Aug, 1918
• Award: Victoria Cross
• Occupation at time of action: Sergeant, No 3 Field Company, New Zealand Engineers, attached 2nd Battalion The Auckland Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
• Book: The Complete History - Volume 2

Sources & Acknowledgements

Citation

 For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On nearing the objective, his company came under heavy machine gun fire. Through Sjt. Forsyth’s dashing leadership and total disregard of danger, three machine-gun positions were rushed and the crews taken prisoner before they could inflict many casualties on our troops. During subsequent advance his company came under heavy fire from several machine guns, two of which he located by a daring reconnaissance. In his endeavour to gain support from a Tank, he was wounded, but after having the wound bandaged, he again got in touch with the Tank, which, in the face of very heavy fire from machine guns and anti-Tank guns, he endeavoured to lead with magnificent coolness to a favourable position. The Tank, however, was put out of action. Sjt. Forsyth then organised the Tank crew and several of his men into a section, and led them to a position where the machine guns could be outflanked. Always under heavy fire, he directed them into positions which brought about a retirement of the enemy machine guns and enabled the advance to continue. This gallant N.C.O. was at that moment killed by a sniper. From the commencement of the attack until the time of his death Sjt. Forsyth’s courage and coolness, combined with great power of initiative, proved an invaluable incentive to all who were with him, and he undoubtedly saved many casualties among his comrades.