Philip Oswald Forrest (1880-1917)
Redcar man served with 6th DLI commemorated on Arras memorial
Philip Oswald Forrest was born in 1880 at Saltburn-by-the-Sea, to Marmaduke and Mary Copper Forrest. In 1911 he lived at 135 Queen Street, Redcar, with his Uncle John William Carey and his cousin Margaret Jane Carey. Here he worked as a Grocer’s assistant until he enlisted in the army, joining the 6th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI), which was deployed to France.
It is possible that Philip fought at the Somme as 6 DLI (as part of the 151st Brigade) moved there in the autumn of 1916. They took heavy causalities in September fighting at High wood, and in November 6 DLI attempted to assault the German fortifications at the Butte de Warlencourt.
Philip survived this and was at some-point promoted to Lance Corporal. The 6 DLI was then moved to Arras, in order to take part in the offensive there. Further loses ensued, including Philip. He died on April 14th 1917, aged 37. He received the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service and, as his body was not recovered, his name appears on the Arras Memorial.
Birth date: 1880
Death date: 14-Apr-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 135 Queen Street, Redcar (1911 Census)
Saltburn-by-the-sea (Birthplace)
Employment: Grocer Assistant (1911 Census)
Family: Father: Marmaduke Forrest
Mother: Mary Cooper Forrest
Uncle: John William Carey
Cousin: Margaret Jane Carey
Military service:
1st Regiment, 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
Regimental Number: 251017
Private promoted to Lance Corporal
Enlisted: Redcar
Deployed: France
Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal
Memorial(s): Arras Memorial, Bay 8
DLI Book of Remembrance, Durham Cathedral
Gender: Male
Contributed by Daniel Hyatt
