Other Information:Frank entered Owens College, Manchester as a medical student in the session 1985-96, he was living at the time with his mother at Blackburn. After pursuing the usual course of studies for the English conjoint diplomas he qualified M.R.C.S. [Eng] and L.R.C.P. [Lond] in 1904. After qualification he held the post of Assistant House Surgeon in the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, Stoke-on-Trench. He joined the R.A.M.C. as Lieutenant on 30th January 1906, and was promoted Captain on 30th July 1909. He served in India from 1907 - 1912, and just before the outbreak of war was stationed at the Royal Army Medical College, attached to the Irish Command. He married in September 1913. Frank entered the war in France on 18th August 1914. The Medical Official History states that on the 13th September 1914, the Unit was at Ciry, on the west side of the Vesle, but in the forenoon Ciry was reported unsafe and the Ambulance left for Serches. On reaching the top of the hill on the road to Serches it came under heavy shell-fire. Lt Martin wrote: - A party of men of the West Kents were sitting by the roadside beyond the cutting, having a meal of bully beef and biscuits. As they were eating, a cavalry ambulance came up from the bridge over the Aisne. When the ambulance was abreast of the West Kents, a German battery landed a Black Maria, on the ambulance, and at the same moment shrapnel burst right amongst them all. The heavy explosive and the shrapnel did terrible execution. Capt F--, R.A.M.C. was killed outright, the other doctor was badly hurt. (- the other doctor being Lt E J Wyler) Lt/Col Brereton wrote:- As the 5th Cavalry Field Ambulance marched from Ciry on the 13th September along the road to Serches, its column was picked up by enemy observers. It was then 10 A.M., and very soon shells were following up the hilly road which leads to the summit of the ridge, and probably became an even better mark for gunners. High-explosive shells began to fall and one put out of action two of its officers and a lance-corporal. The column halted while a dressing station was opened in some caves, then it went on painfully to Serches, and so to Mont de Soissons Farm, carrying the body of one R.A.M.C. officer and the two who had survived their wounds. Captain F. Forrester was buried that afternoon where the cavalry field ambulance halted, and doubtless the grave will become a wayside mark for future generations. Let us suggest an epitaph for the sympathetic consideration of our gallant Ally. “Here lies the body of Captain F. Forrester, of the British Medical Service, who nobly gave his life in the effort to succour wounded. He died that liberty and honour, the birthright of France and England, might continue.” Frank was the husband of Maud, daughter of John Child, of 2 Weech Road, West Hampstead, N.W.
|