Ploegsteert Memorial
Ploegsteert Memorial 2016
DLI Memorial Book
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Forrest was born 1891 in Trimdon, one of 2 surviving brother, (3 girls deceased), born to Thomas and Ann Forrest, married in 1873. Thomas senior, Thomas junior and his brother John all worked as shifters at Trimdon Foundry.
Thomas was married to a girl named Emma and they lived at 36 Post Office Street, Low Spennymoor. He enlisted in Sunderland, unfortunately his full military record no longer exists therefore the year is unknown.
Thomas joined as Private 23773, Durham Light Infantry, 18th Battalion, attached to the 93rd Brigade, 31st Division. In 1918, the year of his death the 18th Battalion saw action in the Battle of St. Quentin, Bapaume and Arras, they then moved north to Flanders and took part in the Battle of Estaires and the Battle of Hazebrouck, which took place 12th - 15th April 1918.
It was during the first day of this battle that Private 23773 Thomas Forrest D.L.I. was killed in action. Thomas has no known grave, his name is inscribed on panel 8 & 9 Ploegsteert Memorial which stands within Berks Cemetery Extension, south of Ypres, Belgium. Thomas was 27 years old.
He received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Forrest is remembered at Chilton on C107.01, C107.04 and C107.12
