For sale is a Quens South Africa Medal, 2 clasps, named Lieut J.H. FORSHAW E LANC. RGT.; 1914 – 15 Star named CAPT J.H. FORSHAW. R. BERKS. R.; British War and Victory Medals named MAJOR J.H. FORSHAW. Court mounted for display they come with copies of medal rolls, MIC and service records extracts.

Major John Horrocks Forshaw was born in Lancashire in 1875. Educated at Rugby and Trinity, Cambridge he was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 3rd Battalion (Militia) East Lancashire Regiment on 10/1/1900.

Embodied for the war in South Africa he served for just over 9 months with the East Lancashire Regiment qualifying for the QSA and clasps Cape Colony and Orange Free State. Finding soldiering to his liking he transferred to the West Indian Regiment from 12/9/1900 – October 1904 when he resigned his commission.

Whilst his father was a solicitor his occupation when he married in 1910 was written as a ‘planter’. Two of his sons were born in South Africa pre-Great War.

He returned to England in time to join the 4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (Territorials) on 1/7/1914 being assigned as the Signals Officer. He was mobilised the next month on the 4th for the Great War.

He was seconded to the 145th Infantry Brigade as the Brigade Signals Officer landing in France on 15/4/1915.

He was transferred to the 4th Signals Company (4th Division) on 8/1/1916 and was appointed to a regular commission as a Captain in the Royal Berkshire Regiment the same month. Promoted to Acting Major in March 1917. He was transferred to the 3rd Army Signal Company in January 1918 and posted to the 59th Division Signal Company in April.

In July 1918 he was sent back to England for a 6 month appointment of home service as O.C. Signals North Garrison, Queensferry. He was discharged on 8/2/1920 on reaching the compulsory age limit.  He died in South Africa in 1944.

He was mentioned in January 1917 for his work as O.I.C. 4th Division Signals Company.

His son Squadron leader Roger Gaft Forshaw was killed in action on 18/12/1942 flying with 603 Squadron.