In Sunderland Southwick Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:
WR/508209 Sapper
W.J. Forbister
Royal Engineers
The beloved son of
20th January 1919 age 33
He fought
and died for Britain
and the honour of his race
The husband of Sarah Ann Forbister, of 127, East Chestnut Street, Washington, Penna, U.S.A.
Derek Haynes has submitted the following:
William’s birth was registered in the March Q 1889 in Sunderland; he was the second eldest child of fourteen to Samuel and Isabella Forbister (nee Wigham), who were married in Holy Trinity Church Sunderland on the 21st February 1885. Samuel a Labourer was originally from Wooley in Yorkshire while Isabella was from Seaham Colliery, Co. Durham.
The children from the marriage were:
Alice Jane Forbister – September Q 1887
Joseph Forbister – September Q 1890 (GRO births spell surname Forbester)
Samuel Barkes Forbister – September Q 1892
Elizabeth Ellen Forbister – June Q 1894
John Armstrong Forbister – December Q 1895
Janet Forbister – March Q 1897
Grace Forbister – September Q 1898
Robert Forbister – March Q 1900
Elizabeth Ellen Forbister – June Q 1902
Stephen Forbister – March Q 1904
Florence Forbister – December Q 1906
Jane Ann Forbister – March Q 1908
Mary Anne Forbister – March Q 1911
All of the above births were registered in Sunderland
At the time of the 1891 census William now aged 2 years was residing in 2 rooms at 1 Grosvenor Street, Southwick with his parents and two siblings. While Samuel and Isabella’s family continued to grow they were struck by three tragedies, the first was on the 5th February 1898 when Elizabeth Ellen aged 4 years died at the Fever Hospital she was buried on the 7th February 1898. This was followed on the 11th November 1900 when aged only two years Grace died at the family home 5 Grosvenor Street, Southwick, she was buried on the 14th November 1900. Perhaps it was the third death that may have been the most tragic for everyone concerned aged only three weeks Stephen died at home on the 25th March 1904; he was buried two days later on the 27th March 1904.
All three children were buried in Southwick Cemetery.
The family’s new home at 5 Grosvenor Street did have an extra room to their previous address but overcrowding must have been a real problem for the family for by 1901 there were two adults and seven children living there.
At some time prior to 1911 William had followed his father into the shipbuilding industry and was also employed as a Driller. The family was now residing at 47 James Street, Southwick and space was still at a premium the number of family members was now thirteen all living in four rooms. The family had suffered bereavements in the past and it was to affect them again when on the 9th June 1912 aged only 50 years Samuel died at home, he was laid to rest three days later on the 12th in Section JJ Grave no. 3022 of Southwick Cemetery.
On the 11th January 1913 William having made his way to Liverpool set sail on the RMS Mauritania for America, it is not known why William went to America; he may have had family members there or perhaps he was looking for better prospects. What is known is that in the short time he was there he married Sarah Ann Steel and had two children, Lawrence William born 17th September 1915 and Lillian May born 13th December 1916.
From what service records have survived we do know that whilst at home in Southwick William had served four years in the Royal Field Artillery Territorial’s, his reason for leaving was that his time with them had expired.
Giving his address as 127 East Chestnut Street, Washington, Pennsylvania and aged 28 years 7 months, on the 17th July 1917 in New York, USA he enlisted into the Royal Engineers (Regimental no. WR/508209). A brief description of William gives his height as 5 feet 7½ inches and weight of 134 pounds. Very soon after enlisting he was given a new regimental number (332735) and transferred to the Inland and Waterways Docks attached to the Royal Engineers.
On the 27th September 1918 after having gained a trade qualification certificate due to successfully completing a piece of work William was entitled to the skilled rate of pay of an Engineer of 1s 4d allowing him also to be employed as a Steel Erector.
While living in America William badly damaged his left knee playing football and was treated a number of times for this condition. It would appear that this was an ongoing problem for him as on the 24th November 1918 he again damaged the same knee; because of this on the 30th November he was admitted to hospital. William was transferred to England and on the 4th January 1919 he was admitted to the Pavilion Enune Hospital, Brighton, sadly on the 20th January 1919 aged 30 years he died in hospital.
The accompanying medical report by Captain Hubert S. Matthew of the R. A. M. C. gives an account of the treatment William received in his final days. Captain Matthew’s also states in the report that the section of the hospital William was in, there were cases of Influenza and Bronchitis which affected both patients and nursing staff, it is possible it was Bronchitis that was the cause of William’s death.
Only by purchasing a Death Certificate can it be said for certain what caused William’s death.
Both his mother Isabella in Southwick and his wife Sarah Ann in Pennsylvania received telegrams informing them of William’s death.
The following report appeared on page 4 of the Sunderland Echo on Tuesday 21/01/1919:
Mrs. Forbister, 10 Keats Avenue, Southwick, has been officially informed that her son, Sapper William John Forbister (30), died at the Pavilion Hotel, Brighton, yesterday, following an operation. Deceased, who formerly worked at Messrs Pickersgill’s shipyard, emigrated to America about seven years ago. He enlisted in America, and had been twelve months in France. He leaves a widow and two children in America.
On Wednesday 22/01/1919 the family placed the following announcement in the Sunderland Echo.
Roll of Honour
On the 20th at Brighton, Sapper W. J. Forbister, beloved son of Isabella and the late Samuel Forbister. To be interred Southwick Cemetery, Friday. Cortege to leave residence 10 Keats Avenue at 1.45. Friends please accept this (the only) intimation.
His body was returned to his mother’s home in Southwick and on the 24th January 1919 he was laid to rest in Section C, Grave no. 5763 of Southwick Cemetery.
For his services to his country William was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
The 1930 Census for the U. S. A. records Sarah Ann and her two children residing with her father John Steel and her two brothers George William and James in Pennsylvania.
William’s mother Isabella continued to reside at 10 Keats Avenue and it was at the family home just before Christmas 1945 that she died. She was laid to rest on the 24th December 1945 in Section JJ Grave no. 3022 of Southwick Cemetery.
William John Forbister is remembered at Southwick on S130.22 and at Sunderland in S140.48 Part 12 page 265
