Overview

Robert Forster was a farmer and officer with the Victoria Police Department, alongside his brother John George Forster. Forster was also a member of the 50th Gordon Highlanders prior to 1914. Though Forster enlisted with the 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion, he served with the 17th Reserve (Nova Scotia Highlanders) Battalion and the Canadian Army Service Corps before he was “struck-off-strength” on 11 August 1918. Forster returned to Victoria after his service and continued to work for the Victoria Police Department until his death on 11 November 1920.[1]

Before Deployment Overseas

Before his enlistment with the 16th Battalion on 22 September 1914 and eventual deployment on 29 April 1915, Forster had moved to Victoria with his brother John George Forster from Killavaghan Cootehill, Ireland.[2] He worked as both a farmer and an officer with the Victoria Police Department.

Service Record in Europe (1915-1918)

Though Private Forster enlisted with the 16th Battalion, he never served with them. He was transferred to the 17th (Nova Scotia Highlanders) Reserve Battalion on 29 April 1915 in England where they provided support for Canadian Corps. By 10 August 1915, Private Forster had been transferred again, this time to the Canadian Army Service Corps who supplied all the transportation and supply services to the military. Forster was stationed in France from 13 October 1915 to 4 April 1919.[3]

Forster’s service was terminated on 11 August 1919, the same day as his brother. He returned to his role as a Constable with the Victoria Police Department but unfortunately passed away just a year later on 11 November 1920.[4]

Post Military Service

Forster’s service was terminated on 11 August 1919, the same day as his brother. He returned to his role as a Constable with the Victoria Police Department. Tragically, Forster was struck by a vehicle while he was operating a police motorcycle on 10 November 1920.  Forster’s brother was at his side when Robert succumbed to his injuries the next evening at 8:00 PM on 11 November 1920.[5]

 

Written by Isobel Griffin

References

[1] Lieutenant-Colonel H. M. Urquhart.The History of the 16th Battalion (The Canadian Scottish) Canadian Expeditionary Force In the Great War, 1914-1919. Toronto: The MacMillan Company of Canada, Limited, 1932.

[2] Forster, Robert. “Attestation Paper,” Library and Archives Canada RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3211-19.

[3] History of the 16th Battalion

[4] Ibid.

[5] “Fallen Heroes: Robert Forster.” VICPD. https://vicpd.ca/aboutus/history/fallen-heroes/