World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of New Zealand, he received the award posthumously for his actions as a sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment of the New Zealand Military Forces on August 24, 1918 at Grevillers, France during the Hundred Days Offensive, the final stages of World War I. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, he worked as a gold amalgamator after completing his education. Shortly after the outbreak of World War I in July 1914, he enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and was assigned to the Field Engineers. He was sent to the Middle East where he saw combat during the Gallipoli Campaign in the Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey) and was wounded twice. Afterwards, he was assigned to the Western Front in Europe and by 1918 he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. On August 24, 1918 his unit was ordered to capture the village of Grevillers, France and he was killed in combat at the age of 27. In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the British War Medal, the British Victory Medal, and the 1914-15 Star. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On nearing the objective, his company came under heavy machine-gun fire. Through Serjt. 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 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. The Tank, however, was put out of action. Serjt. Forsyth then 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. Always under heavy fire, he directed them into positions which brought about a retirement of the enemy machine guns and enabled the advance to continue. This gallant N.C.O. was at that moment killed by a sniper. From the commencement of the attack until the time of his death Serjt. 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." His wife was presented with the Victoria Cross by British King George V following the end of World War I. A memorial in his honor resides at the Sailor's Friend Society in Wellington.

Cenotaph here