Distinguished Conduct Medal : Trumpeter A E Forbes, Queensland Contingent Accession Number: REL/04964.001

Description

Distinguished Conduct Medal (VR). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Contextual Description

297 Trumpeter Arthur Edward Forbes served with 3rd Queensland (Mounted Infantry) Contingent to the Boer War. He subsequently served as an army chaplain in both world wars. Account of the action for which Forbes received the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) is given in Murray, 'Records of the Australian Contingents to the War in South Africa, 1899-1902', p 465, by Captain R B Echlin. "The most notable act of bravery, not actually observed by me, but of which I have had ample evidence, was that of Bugler Forbes. This lad, then about 16 years old, took my horse and his own to what was supposed to be cover, behind a deserted farm house, and held these horses until they were both shot. During that trying time he had a bullet sent through his haversack. Forbes, with the other horse-holders, were compelled to take shelter in this farm house; and when, with the continuous fire kept up by its occupants, ammunition commenced to run short, Forbes under fire went out amongst the shot horses and ransacked the saddle wallets. A Mr. Toy, a war correspondent of a Western Australian newspaper, was one of those who took shelter in the farm house, and in writing to his journal, particularly referred to Forbes' action". The action took place at Koster River, Transvaal, on 22 July 1900. Forbes was also mentioned in despatches (MID). Place and date of both awards unknown. DCM and MID gazetted in London Gazette of 27 September 1901. Forbes returned to South Africa in March 1902, serving with the Australian Commonwealth Horse.

Details

People

• Chaplain Arthur Edward Forbes DCM, ED

Conflicts

• South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War)

Places

• Transvaal
• Koster River

Units

• Queensland Military Forces

Tags

• Distinguished Conduct Medal