Brigadier-General John Keatley Forsyth CMG MiD
1st Light Horse Brigade AIF
4th Light Horse Regiment AIF
Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General Divisional Headquarters, 1st Australian Division
by Robert Simpson
John Keatley Forsyth was born in Brisbane on 8th February 1867 (his service record has the 9th?). He was a son to William Forsyth and Eliza Hood. William had been born in Tyrone, Northern Ireland about 1840 and migrated to Queensland in 1863, arriving in Brisbane on 20th December on the Norman Morrison. He married Eliza on 1st December 1864 in Queensland. She had also been born in Ireland in 1831. Her mother’s maiden name was Roulston. William was a contractor and they lived in Fortitude Valley (another record states he was a builder). They had 2 other sons and a daughter. Samuel Hood Forsyth was born in 1865 but died in 1871, William James Forsyth was born in 1869 and died in 1875 and Ann Jane Forsyth was born in 1871 and died in 1902. William died in 1916, after Eliza had passed away in 1905. John attended Fortitude Valley State School and then Brisbane Normal School. (The most important function of the Normal School was that of a training centre where pupil-teachers could see the best and most efficient teaching methods in operation.) After school he joined the clerical staff at a sawmill and later worked in a solicitor’s office.
John enlisted in the Queensland Mounted Infantry as a Trooper in November 1885. He rose through the ranks and was commissioned on 18th July 1892 as a 2nd Lieutenant and was promoted to a Lieutenant in the Queensland Defence Force (recorded in the Queensland Government Gazette) on 4th November 1892. The Government Gazette of January 1893 also had an entry that the Governor was pleased to appoint Acting Lieutenant John Keatley Forsyth to be a Lieutenant “in the Queensland Defence Force (Land); these appointments to take effect from the 4th November, 1892.” He rose to the rank of Captain in the militia on 22nd September 1896. The Queensland Mounted Infantry in 1896 has Captain John Keatley Forsyth in No. 2 Company, Hammant from 1st July 1896. He was then appointed as a Lieutenant on the headquarters staff of the permanent Queensland Defence Force on 1st August 1897. The Gazette of 1897 noted he was to be a Military Clerk.
On 10th November 1897, in a Wesleyan Methodist Church in Brisbane, John married Catherine McMaster. Catherine had been born in Brisbane on 7th January 1869, a daughter to John McMaster and Catherine McInnis who had been born and married in Scotland. They migrated to Australia in 1855 and settled in Brisbane. John McMaster was an Alderman and Mayor of Brisbane and involved in other government positions. The Forsyth’s had five children; Kathleen born in 1898, John Hood in 1900, Doreen Mabel in 1903, Evelyn Margaret in 1905 and Stanley William Roulston born in 1907. They were all born in Queensland. All lived to adults except Stanley who died in 1908 in Melbourne of pneumonia.
He was promoted to Captain on 1st February 1901 and served as Adjutant to the 1st and 2nd QMI and the 4th Infantry Regiment in 1901 and 1902. In the 1903 and 1905 Electoral Rolls they were living at Mallon Street, Bowen Hills in Brisbane and he was listed as a soldier. In 1905 he became secretary to Major-General Henry Finn who was the Inspector-General of the Commonwealth Military Forces in Melbourne, which meant the family moved to Melbourne, the transfer being dated 1st February 1907. John served in the 3rd Military District of Victoria on the Instructional Staff from 1st February 1907 to 30th November 1910. He was promoted to Major on 28th May 1908 in the Administrative and Instructional Staff.
The London Gazette of 19th October 1909 has the following entry “Major John Keatly Forsyth, Instructional Staff, Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia, is granted the local rank of Major in the Army, while serving with imperial Troops in the United Kingdom or in India, with seniority as from 28th May, 1908, the date of his present rank as Major in the Australian Commonwealth Forces. Dated 14th September 1909.” It is not known what he did or if his family went with him. He was posted to India on exchange duty with the British Indian Army as Brigade Major of the Ambala Cavalry Brigade for nine months. He embarked on RMS Morea from Melbourne on 14th August 1909 for Colombo, then on SS Assaye to Bombay. Then he was Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General for Instruction and then a General Staff Officer. In July 1912, he was appointed as Director of Equipment in Army Headquarters. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in March 1914 and later that year was appointed Quartermaster-General and Third Member of the Military Board.
By the 1914 Electoral Roll they were living in 10 Bayview Avenue in Kooyong Melbourne and he was listed as a civil servant. His civil occupation as stated on his service record was Lieutenant-Colonel on Permanent Staff (Administrative and Instructional Staff) Commonwealth Military Forces stationed at Headquarters Melbourne.
John applied for a Commission in the 1st Light Horse Brigade AIF and dated the form on 24th September 1914. He signed the recommendation himself. His physical description was not written in, but it was noted a medical certificate was attached (and now is not). On 15th August 1914, Lieutenant-Colonel John Forsyth was appointed to the Officer Commanding the 1st Light Horse Brigade and was promoted to Colonel (temporary) whilst in command of the Brigade from the 17th September. His records state he was appointed Temporary Colonel for the period while organising and raising the 1st Australian Light Horse Brigade and 4th (Divisional) Light Horse Regiment 1st Australian Division in Australia and bringing them to Egypt. His address was given as “Hillside” 10 Bayview Avenue Auburn, and changed to 27th Linda Crescent Hawthorn at a later stage though no date is noted.
John embarked from Melbourne on HMAT Orvieto A3 on 21st October 1914 with the 1st Light Horse Brigade Headquarters (another record has A18 Wiltshire on the 19th). He was listed on the roll as Colonel (temporary) John Keatley Forsyth, age 47, an address of 10 Bayview Avenue Auburn Melbourne, religion Methodist and the date of joining as 15th August 1914. His pay rate was 45 shillings a day in total. On arrival there, command of the 1st ALH Brigade was handed over to Colonel H G Chauvel on his arrival from England. He had been in England as the Commonwealth representative on the General Staff. John’s appointment as OC 1st Light Horse Brigade was terminated on 12th December 1914. On the 13th, he was to command Division Light Horse (4th Regiment) with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He commanded them in Egypt. There is a picture, in 1915, of him out riding with another officer in Egypt with the description as Lieutenant-Colonel J. K. Forsyth, Commander of the First Brigade, Australian Infantry Battalion. On 5th April 1915 he proceeded to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Alexandria. He commanded the regiment until 19th May 1915, when he was appointed Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General on Divisional Headquarters, 1st Australian Division, and took up the duties with this appointment at Anzac on Gallipoli on 25th May 1915. From 26th July 1915, he was transferred to command the 2nd Infantry Brigade (temporary) and was to be a temporary Colonel, promoted to Colonel and temporary Brigadier-General whilst commanding the Brigade. The Brigade fought another battle at the German Officer’s trench in August, for which John wrote the Brigade orders with Brigade-Major Hess and Lieutenant-Colonel H G Bennet (who commanded the 6th Battalion chosen for the attack). The operation did not go well from the start. Two mines were to be set off, but Forsyth was told that the explosions may collapse some of the underground trenches that had been constructed. Shelling was also affecting the attack. The Turks, who had been waiting for the attack, cut down the first two assaults. This caused a backup of dead and dying in the tunnels. Jess told Forsyth of the impracticability of the attack and he forwarded this on to General Walker, who told him to go to the trenches and personally organise another attack. Divisional Headquarters also investigated it and decided it was inadvisable to repeat the attempt. In September 1915, the arrival of the 2nd Australian Division on Gallipoli meant that the men of Forsyth’s Brigade could get some rest. They had been on duty for 36 out of every 48 hours for the preceding 5 weeks. He continued in that post until they were evacuated to Mudros on 10th December 1915 in the small transport Abbasseih. Brigadier-General Forsyth had been told they were going to Imbros, but as no confirmation was received from headquarters, they went to Mudros.
On 7th December 1915, Base Records replied to Mr J Pacey of Kenmore Brisbane, who had enquired about his son (who had died of wounds after being shot on Gallipoli) and where his effects and pay were. He also asked for Colonel Forsyth’s regimental address which he could not obtain in Brisbane. The reply included those details which were OC 2nd Infantry Brigade 1st Australian Division Alexandria. It is not known why he wanted to contact John.
On 7th January 1916 he disembarked from the HMT Empress of Britain at Alexandria.
William Forsyth, his father, died on 24th January 1916 in Brisbane. The Valley Methodist Church had a notice in the Brisbane Courier on Saturday 29th January 1916 “11, Rev. Mr. Deller. 7.30, Rev. Robert Stewart. “In Memoriam” late Mr. William Forsyth. Soloist: Mrs. MacDonald.”
In February 1916 Generals Birdwood and Godley inspected the forward defence line in Egypt. Colonel Forsyth arrived late and was bluntly told by General Godley that the trenches would need to be rebuilt as they were in the wrong place. The next day he inspected the positions and concluded that they were in the right place. Another inspection by General Godley established that most of the positions were adequate and only one area had to be altered.
On 26th March 1916 he embarked on the Megantic at Alexandria to join the BEF and disembarked at Marseilles on the 31st. The 2nd Brigade was sent to the front line almost immediately and spent six months in strenuous work. Then they were involved at Messines, and at the Somme and Pozieres. At Pozieres, the men were being heavily shelled and their own shelling had obscured artillery observers from seeing what was happening. On receiving the message from Jess, General Forsyth answered: “Men must and will fight if necessary. All artillery now turned on to stop bombardment.” At Moquet Farm, some of the attacking battalions reached their goal, while others were beaten back. Brigadier Forsyth decided that the reserve Battalion should be sent to Munster alley to bomb their way through, but when he heard that a company had been repulsed from the German lines, he countermanded the order, as he realise it offered no chance of success.
In August 1916 he embarked for England on HS St. Patrick from Rouen with a mouth ulcer from the 8th General Hospital in France. The mouth ulcer was probably one symptom of his breakdown in health which resulted in him being sent to a London hospital.
On 6th October 1916 he was recommended for a C. B. by Major-General H B Walker who wrote “Commanded the 2nd Australian Infantry Brigade in the two operations in the battle of the Somme (at POZIERES) from 22/7/16 to 26/8/16. In the first operation his Brigade at first held in Divisional Reserve until eventually absorbed, on the 25th July, when his Brigade was subjected to continuous bombardment, and was very highly tried. Brigadier General FORSYTH has now been in command of his Brigade for over a year, and I am glad to have the opportunity of bringing his service to mention.” It was not awarded. On 2nd October 1916, he was to temporarily command “B” Group AIF Depots in England while Lieutenant-Colonel J Lyon Johnson was absent on leave. He was struck off strength of 2nd Infantry Brigade on 12th November 1916 to return to Australia for duty. In mid-December 1916, Base Records sent a letter to his wife advising her that he was returning to Australia and would be in Melbourne about the end of December. On 12th November 1916 he left Portland to return to Australia on the HT Wiltshire for duty in Australia, and arrived in Melbourne on 31st December. Duty in Australia was approved by GOC AIF on 15th November 1916.
He was listed in error on the Nominal Roll as Brigadier-General John Keathy Forsyth of 2nd Infantry Brigade, who returned to Australia on 12th November 1916. A letter to the Department of Defence, from the Commandant of the Royal Military College on 7th December 1916 (and stamped confidential) reads: “On 16th November I received a letter regarding the suggested appointment of Lieut.-Colonel Harrison to the A.I.F. and for his place to be filled by Brigadier-General Forsyth, (Defence 8.755). The file referred to was marked “confidential” and has been kept as such here, but it would appear as if it has not been considered confidential in other places as it seems generally known. Under the circumstances I should be glad to know if it is still necessary to treat the subject as confidential.” The reply on 13th December 1916 stated that there was no need for this subject to be treated as confidential.
In the London Gazette of 4th January 1917, he was listed in the Despatches as a Colonel in the AIF on page 253 for his good work. He was also one of the Australian soldiers granted New Year honours by His Majesty the King for distinguished service in the field and was to be a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George as Brigadier-General John Keatley Forsyth, 2nd Infantry Brigade. It was published in some Australian newspapers as well. On 13th April 1917 his services were terminated. For the rest of the war, he served in Australia. On 16th February 1917 he was Commandant of 4th Military District in South Australia and held that appointment until he was re-appointed Quartermaster General and 3rd Military member of the Military Board with the rank of Brigadier-General. He signed for his Commission Form on 29th November 1917, being noted as Lieutenant-Colonel J. K. Forsyth, Australian Administrative and Instructional Staff.
John held the appointment of QMG for the next 4 years and he had a hard task at hand. After the war, all the troops coming home had to have facilities provided for them to ensure an efficient reception. Also all the stores, equipment, supplies and transport had to be disposed of by returning to stores or by selling and Australian military establishments in Australia and overseas had to close. Then the AMF had to be re-organised due to changes brought about by the war. His application for war service leave gratuity was passed on 9th May 1919.
He was promoted to Colonel on 1920 and to Temporary Major-General in January 1921. John signed for his 1914-15 Star on 11th June 1920, his Mention in Despatches oak leaves on 20th September 1920, his Mention in Despatch certificate on 21st June 1921, his British War Medal on 15th November 1921, and his Victory Medal on 4th July 1922.
He is listed in Who’s Who in Australia 1922 edition as “FORSYTH, Brigadier-General John Keatly, C.M.G.; b. Brisbane, 9 Feb. 1867; s. of late William Forsyth, builder; ed. Fortitude Valley State School, and Normal School, Brisbane. Joined Headquarters Staff of Queensland Defence Forces as Lieutenant prior to federation, and held various Staff appointments in Australian Military Forces; organised and took to Egypt 1st Light horse Brigade A.I.F. at outbreak of European War 1914; commanded 4th (Victorian) Light Horse Regiment (in Egypt); appointed A.A. and Q.M.G. 1st Australian Division on Gallipoli, and given command 2nd Australian (Victorian) Infantry Brigade at Gallipoli, July 1915; after evacuation commanded brigade in Egypt and France (invalided; mentioned in despatches, Nov. 1916); C.M.G., 1 Jan. 1917; Commandant of 4th (South Australian) Military District until July 1918, when appointed Quartermaster General Central Administrative Headquarters, Melbourne, and Member of military board. M. Kate, d. of Alderman John McMaster, Brisbane. Address- Victoria Barracks, Melbourne; Linda Crescent, Glenferrie, Melbourne, Vic.”
John was placed on the unattached list in July 1922 and lost the rank of temporary Major-General. On 1st July he was placed on the Unattached List. The 1924 Electoral Roll has them living at 6 Hepburn Street Kooyong and he has no occupation. He retired on 9th February 1925 with the honorary rank of Major-General and was placed on the Retired List. “Dad”, as he was affectionately known by soldiers in the 4th Light Horse, was president of the Light Horse Association. He also attended the Auburn Methodist Church and was an influential member there. He then was secretary, and later on field superintendent, to the National Federation of Victoria. After transferring to the National Union, he was selected in 1928 as the second candidate in the Victorian National Party’s Senate team.
John Keatley Forsyth died on 12th November 1928 in Melbourne at his home. He had succumbed to pneumonia. An article in the Narandera Argus and Riverina Advertiser contained the following story “Mr. John Keatley Forsyth, one of the two Nationalist candidates for the Victorian Senate died on Monday. He contracted a chill a week ago while electioneering. He collapsed and died painlessly at his home. His sudden death has caused a great regret among a large circle of political, military, and civilian friends.” General Sir Harry Chauvel said “Major General Forsyth and I first became associated in 1891 in Queensland where we served in the Queensland Mounted Infantry. His sudden death is a great shock to me. We had had almost a lifelong friendship and I regard Major General Forsyth as an organiser of exceptional ability, and one who has given valuable service to the Australian Military Forces.” Mr W A Watt, an acting Prime Minister in the war commented “It is my regrettable duty to announce the death of Major General Forsyth. This sad event throws a pall over the elections. Those of us who knew him knew what a splendid character he was. Apart altogether from his gallant career as a soldier, he was a public-spirited citizen of high ideals.” The RSL Victorian branch also gave him a tribute “The league stands to-day in the shadow of a great loss. Major general Forsyth was Chairman of Anzac House, a position that brought him into close touch with the League’s work and furnished opportunities for service to old comrades. He always maintained that the chief work of the League should be the upholding of the good name of the A.I.F. and the strengthening of the feeling of comradeship among those who served, and the adoption of this view by many branches and branch officers is undoubtedly due to the influence exerted by him during his travels through the state.”
At 11am, the funeral was held at the Methodist Church in Oxley Street Auburn, where he had been a prominent member for years. Many high ranking officers and friends attended. He was buried in Boroondara General Cemetery, in the Wesleyan section with the grave location WES C 0336 on 14th November 1928, with full military honours. Buried with him are his wife (11th August 1956) and youngest son Stanley (28th September 1908). Who’s Who in Australia of 1933-4 has him in a list noting his death. His widow’s address was noted in his records as 6 Hepburn Street Auburn in 1934.
An officer who was on his personal staff during the war and remained in close personal touch with him afterwards, wrote some notes about John and his career. He said it was “a sincere attempt to delineate the character and qualities of a man who was indeed a man and a universally beloved leader. In this capacity of inspiring trust and affection, General Forsyth was seldom equalled and probably never surpassed.” He also acknowledged he had his faults. Actions he faced at Gallipoli included the landing at Suvla Bay, Lone Pine and the demonstration at German Officers’ Trench. If not for his protest, the third line of men would have been mown down as the first two were in that last attack. Such was the devotion of his men that they stayed in the front lines. When they were relieved in the front lines later in August, the sight of the “haggard, almost emaciated men of the First Division, filling down the gully side by side with the fit and bronzed men of the Sixth Brigade straight from Egypt” coming up the hill. They had refused to go to sick parade and stayed in the line under much hardship. “It was these men whom Forsyth led down the slopes of Anzac to embark for Lemnos. Already there had sprung up between Commander and men a bond of sympathy borne of dangers and hardships shared.” At Lemnos they paraded past Forsyth and it was with the greatest difficulty that he was able to suppress his emotion and remain at the saluting point due to their poor condition and the gaps in the ranks. This bonded them more together. While at Lemnos John helped to establish a happy atmosphere there which was essential for the rest and recuperation the troops needed. He also noted that British nurses were not treated as well as Australian ones, so he got as many as he could to have them at informal meals at Brigade Headquarters and take them for picnics and donkey rides to boost their morale.
John enjoyed Church Parades and sacred music, but disliked the way the military bands played them. He would conduct the bands himself until they played them as joyous hymns of praise. He was tolerant of all Creeds and when a petty difference occurred between Chaplains in the Brigade, he had a heart to heart talk with them in his tent and there were no more hint of differences afterwards while he was in charge. Having a meal on Gallipoli with General Forsyth was like being at a family dinner. “The talk was of home or of cheerful things.” Petty annoyances were put aside by common consent. He had a deep sympathy and ready sense of humour. Strict rules were unnecessary and simple courtesy and fellowship applied.
They were all happy to leave Anzac as was Forsyth, who had the hope of going home to wife and children. But he also felt the loss and frustration, “of wasted lives and wasted days” and would have gone back to take up the struggle, no matter the cost. His men “would have gone with him, gladly and without regret.”
While back in Egypt, he had four horses that were named after his four children. His devotion to his family also applied to his staff, officers and the whole Brigade.
After arriving in France the first three months were a comparatively quiet time, where Forsyth spent time with them encouraging and talking to them. “Forsyth was deeply religious but he never thrust his beliefs on his comrades in a way which could possibly offend them or lead to ridicule. All ranks of his command realised his sincerity and his deep resolution to carry on the war with determination and honour.” At Pozieres, where the Brigade lost about half its’ strength, it did not affect his judgement, decisions and execution; but it did have a severe emotional strain on him which lead to a breakdown in his physical health. An illness which had been affecting his strength for some time became more serious and he was transferred to London. His command had been one “of wisdom and justice, of kindly interest in his men and of self-sacrificing devotion to duty.”
He did have issues with British Officers due to the faults he could see in them. His bluntness with General Birdwood at one stage at Pozieres did not help with his popularity with the higher command. “He was s strong man, mentally, morally and physically. He never passed on blame and sometimes took the responsibility when another should have accepted the blame. When he could not get physically fit enough to return to the front, he was sent home.
Two years after his death a plaque was unveiled in his memory at the Methodist Church in Auburn. The ceremony occurred on 28th September 1930 was conducted by Chaplain-Colonel Snell, with an address by Reverend J Thomas. His widow and all their children attended.
John Hood Forsyth (a station hand) married Edna Leatt Pryor in 1933 in Victoria, but he passed away on 29th May 1938 of pneumonia. Many notices were placed in the Argus concerning his passing from family and friends, on 30th May 1938. His funeral left Scots Church at Yea that day following a service there. It is not known if they had any children, but it would appear not.
Catherine and her daughters lived at 6 Hepburn Street in the 1937 roll until the 1949 roll, and then from around the 1954 roll at 10 Hepburn Street Hawthorn until her death on 9th July 1956. She was buried in the same grave as her husband and Stanley. It would appear none of their daughters married. On 17th July 1967 one of his daughters, Doreen Mabel Forsyth of 10 Hepburn Street Hawthorn applied for his Gallipoli Medallion on the official request form, after sending in a letter asking for it to be issued to her in April. In 1968, a copy of his record of service was requested by the Repatriation Department in Melbourne, for what reason is not indicated.
After her death in 1989 Doreen Mabel Forsyth, the last surviving child in the family bequest money to Legacy and also gave them his medals for them to sell.
His medals are CMG, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory medal with oak leaf.
ANZAC Biographies
On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women
whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection belonging to the
Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,
Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.
There is some disagreement with his middle name and birth day. His birth and death index and some early service records spell it as Keatley and date of the 8th, while some of his WW1 service records and other records around and after that have it as Keatly and date as 9th. Googling Keatley does give a long list of names and adding history gives this – https://www.houseofnames.com/keatley-family-crest . Note, this says there are variations in the name. For Keatly history – https://www.houseofnames.com/keatly-family-crest . The full birth certificate would give the correct spelling and date, presumably.