William Forshaw

William Thomas Forshaw VC

William Thomas Forshaw was born on 20 April 1890 at Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire. A schoolmaster before the First World War, he joined the 1/9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, Territorial Force, and served at Gallipoli in 1915.

Forshaw was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions between 7 and 9 August 1915 during the fighting at “The Vineyard” on the Gallipoli peninsula. Holding the north-west corner of the position against repeated Turkish attacks, Lieutenant Forshaw directed his men while personally throwing bombs for more than 40 hours. When his own detachment was relieved, he volunteered to remain and continue directing the defence. Later, after Turkish troops captured part of the trench, Forshaw shot three of them and helped retake the position. His courage and example were credited with holding a vital part of the line. (Cumbria County History Trust)

After Gallipoli, his promotion to Captain was confirmed. In 1916, while on leave, he married a nurse at Ashton-under-Lyne. In 1917 he transferred to the 76th Punjabis of the Indian Army and later served in frontier operations, including campaigns in Mahsud and Waziristan, before retiring from the Army in November 1922.

Returning to civilian life proved difficult. Forshaw resumed teaching, but permanent posts were hard to find. He accepted a two-year appointment with the RAF Educational Service in Egypt, then returned to England in 1925. He later settled near Ipswich and attempted to run preparatory schools for boys, but the ventures failed financially. He eventually joined Gaumont British, where he worked in industrial film production. His interest in photography went back to his service in Egypt and Gallipoli, where some of his off-duty photographs had appeared in newspapers.

During the Second World War, Forshaw served as a Major in the 11th City of London Battalion, Home Guard, later acting as a staff officer. In 1941 he and his wife moved to Holyport, Berkshire, as evacuees. He died there at Foxearth Cottage on 26 May 1943, apparently after suffering a heart attack while cutting a hedge in his garden.

Unusually for an officer recipient of the Victoria Cross, Forshaw was buried in an unmarked grave at Touchen End, near Maidenhead. The grave was forgotten for many years until it was traced in 1994, when a headstone was dedicated by his old regiment. In 1996, a blue plaque was placed in his memory at Ladysmith Barracks, Ashton-under-Lyne. (Maidenhead Heritage Centre)

In addition to the Victoria Cross, Forshaw received the 1914–15 Star, British War Medal 1914–20, Victory Medal 1914–19 with Mentioned in Despatches oak leaf, India General Service Medal with clasps “Mahsud 1919–20” and “Waziristan 1919–21” with Mentioned in Despatches oak leaf, Defence Medal 1939–45, and King George VI Coronation Medal 1937. His medals are held by the Manchester Regiment Museum, Ashton-under-Lyne. (The Men Behind The Medals)