Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Lieutenant L. H. Forrest, Royal Flying Corps and 47th Sikhs, a DH9 pilot of 27 Squadron who was shot down, wounded and taken Prisoner of War whilst trying to carry out a raid on the bridge at Voyenne, as part of the first day of the Battle of Amiens

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. L. H. Forrest. R.A.F.) minor edge bruising, generally nearly very fine (2) £300-£400

Lionel Hugh Forrest was born in May 1897, the son of H. E. Forrest, a musical instrument dealer. Forrest was educated at Bishop Vesey’s School, Sutton Coldfield. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 47th Sikhs in November 1915, and advanced to Lieutenant later the following year. Forrest transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in early 1917, and carried out initial training as a pilot. He was posted as a pilot for operational flying with 27 Squadron (D.H.9’s) on the Western Front in July 1918. The Squadron was tasked with bombing and reconnaissance operations, and Forrest often found himself crewed with Lieutenant S. W. P. Foster-Sutton as his Observer.

The fate of the pair is described in The Flying Elephants: The History of No. 27 Squadron RFC/RAF 1915 to 1969, by Chaz Bowyer:

‘By the end of July preparations were complete for the first main Allied offensive since the perilous days of March 1918. Accordingly at the beginning of August, IX Brigade left the French zone, 27 Squadron moving to Beauvois on August 8. This same day saw the start of the Battle of Amiens and 27 were in action immediately. Just after dawn fourteen DHs attacked St. Christ aerodrome in the Peronne sector, while at mid-day a mixed force of DH4’s and 9’s bombed bridges over the Somme at Bethencourt, Voyennes and Offoy from low level. Once lightened of their bombs all aircraft dropped down to deck-level and completed their sorties by strafing German troops, transport and emplacements with machine-gun fire. German fighters scoured the whole battle front offering fanatical resistance to the Allied aircraft, among them the Richthofen “Circus” which claimed thirteen victims on that date. None of these belonged to 27 but the squadron was attacked by a flight from Jasta 29 and lost three bombers. These were DH9 D 1719 (to Oberleutnant H. Auffarth), DH9 D 7317 (Vizefeldwebel Gregor) and DH4 B 2133 (victor unknown). Of the crews, Lts. H. M. Brown, L. H. Forest [sic] and S. W. P. Foster-Sutton survived as prisoners of the Germans.’

Both Forrest and Foster-Sutton were wounded, and taken Prisoner of War by the Germans. Their aircraft was claimed as shot down by the German Ace Lieutnant Richard Wentzl of Jasta 6. Forrest was repatriated in December 1918, and relinquished his temporary commission in the R.A.F. to return to the Indian Army in October 1919. In later life resided at Old Parrs, Middletown, Welshpool.

Sold with extensive copied research, Combat Reports, ORB entries etc.