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Robert Forrest was born in Burntisland, Fife, Scotland on 7 February 1865, the oldest child of William and Anne Forrest. The 1881 Scotland census finds Robert living in Leith, Midlothian, with his parents, two brothers, and two sisters, his occupation given as apprentice weaver.

After briefly serving with the 1st Midlothian Volunteer Cavalry, he attested to the 5th Princess Charlotte of Wales Dragoon Guards at Edinburgh on 23 August 1883, reporting his birthday as 23 August 1864, making him 19 years-old. As stated in the 1881 Queen’s Regulations, “The minimum age of a recruit will be the physical equivalent of 19 years of age”; it appears his age was falsified so Forrest could enlist.

Forrest was appointed Lance Corporal on 12 February 1886, promoted Corporal on 20 February 1886, appointed Lance Sergeant on 13 October 1887, and promoted Sergeant on 11 July 1888. He married Annie Thornton on 6 January 1892 in Farnham. Forrest was promoted to Squadron Sergeant Major when his regiment was posted to India on 6 September 1893.

The 5th Dragoon Guards were stationed in India when they were ordered to proceed to South Africa on 8 September 1899. Although the Boer War did not officially begin until October, it was apparent for some time that hostilities were inevitable. The 5th Dragoon Guards were among the first regiments to arrive, with D Squadron landing on the 11th October and taking part in the charge at Elandslaagte (21 October 1899). The remainder of the regiment was delayed because of cases of anthrax discovered among the horses and did not land until the 26th of October. It was on the 30th of October when Lieutenant John Norwood received the only Victoria Cross ever awarded to the 5th Dragoon Guards for rescuing a wounded soldier under heavy enemy fire.

The regiment retreated to Ladysmith as part of the force under the command of General Sir George White where they were besieged from 3 November 1899 until relieved on 28 February 1900. During this time, the regiment made a number of sorties from Ladysmith but many of their casualties were due to illness.

After Ladysmith, the 5th Dragoon Guards were deployed in units of squadron size or smaller protecting the lines of communication. It was while thus deployed that Forrest was slightly wounded in action when he was shot in the forehead during operations at Pimple Hill, Ingogo, Natal on 5 September 1900.

Promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major when RSM Henry Boag was commissioned into the South African Constabulary on 27 February 1901, Forrest served as the regiment’s RSM for the remainder of the war until posted back to India along with the rest of the regiment on 6 April 1902. For his service, Forrest received the Queen’s South Africa Medal with 3 clasps and the King's South Africa Medal with 2 clasps.

While serving in India, Forrest was awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal without gratuity on 1 January 1903. Forrest’s timing was fortuitous. The appointment of Sergeant Major conferred the rank of Warrant Officer, and Warrant Officers were ineligible for the LS&GC from July 1882 to June 1902. Thus, Forrest became one of the first RSMs to receive this medal after the statute was revised.

Forrest returned to South Africa on 15 March 1904 with his regiment before being sent home on 28 December 1908.

Having reached the mandatory age, Forrest was discharged from the 5th Dragoon Guards on 22 August 1909 after 26 years of service, his conduct being described as “exemplary”. His intended place of residence was listed as 32 Bothwell Street, Edinburgh.

Barney
Very good to see such a group together with an identified photo of the recipient.
Regards
IL.

As I was reading down you post, my thought were exactly the same as IL, how fantastic to have a named photo too.

The DCM group to Cpl R W Feast, 5th DG: www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...-war?start=300#73123

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (3) Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4594 Pte. W. Johnson, 5th Dragoon Guards);
KSA (2) South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4594 Corpl: W. Johnson, 5th Drgn: Gds:);
1914 Star, with clasp (4594 R. Q. M. Sjt. W. Johnson. 5/D. Gds:);
BWM and VM (4594 W.O.Cl.II. W. Johnson. 5/D. Gds.);
Army LS&GC GV (4954 Q. M. Sjt: W. Johnson. 5/D. Gds:)

William Johnson served with the 5th Dragoon Guards in France from 15 August 1914. He was advanced Warrant Officer Class II and was commissioned Captain, attached to the Cavalry Cadet School;

Together with 5th Dragoon Guards cap Badge.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (3) Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4549 Pte. F. Smith. 5th Dragoon Guards);
KSA (2) (4549 Pte. F. Smith. 5th Drgn: Gds:) suspension claw tightened;
Royal Victorian Medal, GV silver (Sgt. F. J. Smith, 5th D.G.);
Army LS&GC GV 1st issue (D-20140 Cpl. F. J. Smith. 5/D. Gds:)

RVM June 1916, on the occasion of the visit of King George V to Aldershot.

Frank John Smith was born in Kensington, London, and attested for the 1st Dragoon Guards in London on 27 January 1897, aged 18 years 7 months, a farrier by trade. He transferred to the 5th Dragoon Guards, then serving in India, in December 1898, serving there until December 1899, when he served in South Africa until April 1902, then in India again until March 1904, and then back to South Africa until December 1908.

He transferred to the 1st Reserve Regiment of Cavalry on 9 August 1914, and served at home until finally discharged on 19 June 1919.

His LS&GC medal was announced in Army Order 106 of 1918.