Sgt. Samuel Forsyth VC
Clan Forsyth Society
New Zealand
Through Sgt. 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 the 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. When the tank was put out of action Sgt. Forsyth 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.
During this action the gallant N.C.O. was killed by a sniper. From the commencement of the attack until the time of his death Sgt. 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.
Samuel Forsyth (1891-1918) enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force at the outbreak of war in 1914, and sailed with the main body to Egypt. He fought at Gallipoli were he received a slight wound, and was evacuated twice with illness. He was seconded to 2nd Auckland Battalion in August 1918, and was posthumously awarded the VC for most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack at Grevillers, France, on 24 August 1918.
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Forsyths in New Zealand