Biography

FREDERICK WILLIAM DUNCAN FORBES

Burial register ID: 8794
Surname: FORBES
First name: FREDERICK
Middle names: WILLIAM DUNCAN
Gender: Male
Age: 24 Years
Cause of death: Unknown
Burial type:
Date of death: 12-Jul-1901
Date of burial: 14-Jul-1901

Block: 10
Plot: 13
Inscription:

IN MEMORY OF

FREDERICK WILLIAM DUNCAN FORBES

TROOPER IN THE 5th NZ CONTINGENT

TO SOUTH AFRICA

WHO DIED AT PORT CHALMERS

ON BOARD THE S.S. TAGUS

ON THE 12th JULY 1901.

ALSO

IN MEMORY OF HIS MOTHER

MARY AITKEN

WIDOW OF

WILLIAM FORBES

WRITER EDINBURGH, BURIED HERE

THEY LIE IN A GOOD FOLD

EZEK.34.14

Bio contributor: Researched by C Begg

Frederick William Duncan Forbes was a trooper in the fifth New Zealand contingent to the Boer war, South Africa. He died on board s. s. Tagus on 12 July 1901.

The Otago Witness 17 July 1901 reported ‘BACK FROM THE WAR, THE TAGUS AT THE HEADS, Troopship Tagus with returning members of the fourth and fifth contingents arrived off Otago Heads on Wednesday………’ and gave the following death notice on p 51: ‘On the 12th July, on board the troopship Tagus(of pneumonia), Frederick William (fifth contingent), only son of the late William Duncan and Mary Forbes, of Perthshire, Scotland, aged 24 years. Deeply regretted.’

The following poem was also submitted:

GUNNER F W FORBES

A tired trooper, bold and brave

Now rests his wearied feet

And in the shelter of his grave

Has found a safe retreat

No more the trumpets piercing breath –

Him to arms will call in vain

He’s quartered in the arms of death –

He will never march again.

– A FELLOW COMRADE(E. L. )

There are 2 Interments in this grave:

Surname First names Age Date of death Date of burial
FORBES FREDERICK WILLIAM DUNCAN 24 Years 12-Jul-1901 14-Jul-1901
FORBES MARY 44 Years 07-Feb-1880 09-Feb-1880