Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Brigadier Alexander Moore FORBES, MVO, MC (b. 19/05/1892 St Kilda, Victoria)
He was the first Sergeant-Major and recipient of the first Sword of Honour. Served in the First World War 1914-1918. Brigadier Forbes organised the ceremony of unveiling the Australian War Memorial at Villers Bretonneux by HM King George VI, 1938, for which he was invested with Membership of the Royal Victorian Order.

and Mother Beryl Forbes (nee STONE).

Lt Col Forbes’ father was in the first class to enter Duntroon in 1911 and was awarded his MC during WW1.

Patrick’s elder brother, Dr Jim Forbes (born 16 Dec 1923 in Hobart, Tasmania)
(435375 (NX138171) - Lieutenant Alexander James Deburgh Forbes,
was also a Duntroon graduate and was awarded the MC in WW2.

4/7538 Lieutenant Patrick Oliver Giles FORBES MC

1 Jul - 27 Jul 1953 - Korea
During the period that the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment has been in the Korean theatre Lt FORBES has commanded the Assault Pioneer Platoon. His work involved the checking and maintenance of minefield wire on the Battalion front each night, and the guiding of patrols through the minefields. He performed these dangerous tasks regularly and unflinchingly despite the fact he was frequently under hostile fire. Lt FORBES also supervised the construction of all defensive works in the unit. 
The main effort of defensive work construction was carried on in the forward company area of the HOOK proper. This area had continually been the subject of the enemy's
attacks, and was subject to much enemy fire. Lt FORBES moved around the area each night supervising work. The fact that the defences of the HOOK were maintained and improved was largely due to Lt FORBES' personal courage and efficiency. Throughout the entire period Lt FORBES has carried out his duties with more than normal zeal and efficiency. His duties constantly exposed him to enemy fire or the dangers of unallocated minefields or unfenced minefields. Whenever an Assault Pioneer was required to carry out a dangerous or difficult task Lt FORBES was always present to carry it out. On two separate occasions, he was involved in recovering our casualties from within a minefield. At all times his personal courage, zeal and efficiency were a constant inspiration to those who worked under him, and a great example to all members of the unit.

1950-1953
2RAR took over the Hook on 9 July and 3RAR took over their positions the following day. The Australians were faced with the daunting task of rebuilding the shattered defences of the Hook, which they set to with a will. Despite great attempts by Mother Nature and the constant harassing fire of the Chinese artillery, within a fortnight, bunkers had been rebuilt, trenches restored and the defensive minefields had been re-marked and fenced by the pioneer platoon, led by the seemingly unflappable Lieutenant Patrick Forbes, who would be awarded an MC for his efforts in the face of enemy interference. The Hook’s defences were as formidable as ever.
Both Australian battalions maintained nightly standing and fighting patrols, and there were frequent contacts with Chinese patrols. These constant patrols and the determination to dominate no man’s land by 2RAR and 3RAR drove the Chinese off the Australian wire, giving them some breathing space. Though, the Chinese had dug in on the reverse slope of Green Finger and had a cave dug from where they sent ambush patrols.

2/4/1954       discharged from service
                    Lieutenant in 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment 

Lt Col Patrick Forbes MC (Retd) as a young lieutenant in Korea had a bloke in his platoon called ‘Sparrow’ Ross. He was quite a small man and this was most probably the reason he was called ‘Sparrow’. ‘Sparrow’ had a brown felt toy dog that he carried in his pack. The dog had a small army slouch hat and various insignia including the Commonwealth Division Badge.

Some years after Korea, the then Major Forbes, as a member of the CMF, was at JTC Canungra doing his promotion exams for Lt Col. At the end of the course he returned to his room to find ‘Sparrow’s Dog’ on his bed with a note saying ‘I thought you might like the dog, Sparrow’. Unfortunately he was never able to catch up with ‘Sparrow’, who died a number of years ago, and has had the dog ever since.

Lt Colonel Forbes decided that he would take the opportunity to present the dog, now named ‘Sparrow’ in memory of his former owner, to the battalion CO Lt Colonel Michael Bassingthwaighte, DSM who was attending the 2RAR Association’s 2014 ANZAC Reunion in Adelaide. Lt Colonel Bassingthwaighte accepted ‘Sparrow’ on behalf the Battalion who will now hold a place of honour in the soon to be upgraded Battalion museum. The museum will be an important educational tool for all members of the Battalion, especially for new members marching into the Battalion.

Submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  7/10/2016.  Lest we forget.

Thank you to Michael Kelly for all his research.