William Thomas Forshaw

William Thomas Forshaw VC (20 April 1890-26 May 1943) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. In civilian life Forshaw was a teacher at Manchester Grammar School.

He was 25 years old, and a lieutenant in the 1/9th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place during the Battle of Krithia Vineyard for which he was awarded the VC.

During the period 7 August/9 August 1915 in Gallipoli, Turkey, when holding the north-west corner of "The Vineyard" against heavy attacks by the Turks, Lieutenant Forshaw not only directed his men but personally threw bombs continuously for over 40 hours. When his detachment was relieved, he volunteered to continue directing the defence. Later, when the Turks captured a portion of the trench, he shot three of them and recaptured it. It was due to his fine example and magnificent courage that this very important position was held.

He later achieved the rank of major. Buried at Touchen End Cemetery, Bray, near Maidenhead in Berkshire. For many years the grave was unmarked but a new stone was erected in 1994 though not on exact site.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the [http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom Museum of the Manchester Regiment, Town Hall, Ashton-under-Lyne, England] .

References

*((Volunteer Infantry of Ashton-under-Lyne)) Robert Bonner, 2005)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*VCs of the First World War - Gallipoli (Stephen Snelling, 1995)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/berkshir.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Berkshire)"
* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/bbforsha.htm News Item] "(grave search culminating in erection and dedication of a headstone)"
* [http://www.ashtonpals.fusiveweb.co.uk/ The Ashton Territorials, 9th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment during WWI]
* [http://www.mgs.org/view_page.asp?sel_sub_menu_id=527&sel_menu_id=112&section_id=1&page_id=932 Manchester Grammar School News Item (making of documentary featuring Forshaw's story)]