Gerald Forward MBE

Second Lieutenant Gerald Forward
24 Jul 1898 - 20 Mar 1980
Biography

The Fritham Patrol was set up by Gerald Forward who was Patrol Sergeant from its creation until he was promoted to assistant Group Commander in April 1944. He recounted some of the details in a privately published biography. Gerald Forward was an Agister, a type of supervisor of the livestock of the New Forest, with specific responsibility for the welfare of the free ranging animals. Together with his brother Hubert, he covered the 93,000 acres of the Forest during the war.

After the war, Gerald Forward was elected as a Verderer, an important quasi-judicial role within the New Forest. He was awarded an MBE for this work in the 1974 New Years Honours list.

Postings
Unit or location Role Posted from until
Hampshire Group 2 - New Forest Area Assistant Group Commander 01 Apr 1944 03 Dec 1944
Fritham Patrol Patrol Leader 23 Jul 1940 01 Apr 1944
National ID
EENA 100/1
Occupation

Agister of New Forest

Address
1 Valetta House, Fritham, near Lyndhurst, Hampshire
Other information

Second Lieutenant from 19th April 1944. Gerald reported training with Regular soldiers, possibly a Hampshire Scout Section as well as being sent away on training courses, most likely a Patrol leaders course at Coleshill House.

The 1911 Census records him living with Jane Forward, a widowed dairy farmer, and he is recorded as her adopted son.

References

WO 199/3391

1939 Register

Hancock data held at B.R.A

The late Gerald Forward

Gerald Forward New Forest