Henry Garnet Forrest

Henry Garnet Forrest, (5 December 1895 – 3 December 1945) was an Australian First World War flying ace, credited with eleven aerial victories while serving in the Australian Flying Corps.

Early life Henry Garnet Forrest was born on 5 December 1895

First World War Infantry service Forrest originally served as a Quartermaster Sergeant with the Australian Imperial Force's 23rd Infantry Battalion. He sailed from Australia on HMAT Euripides on 10 May 1915. After some time spent in Egypt, the 23rd Battalion shipped out to Gallipoli, whence it landed on the night of 4–5 September 1915.

After his return from Gallipoli to Egypt, Forrest was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 46th Battalion on 12 March 1916. He shipped out for service on the Western Front on 2 June 1916. Forrest led a daring trench raid in the Hollandscheschuur salient in September 1916; this gained him a mention in despatches and the Italian Silver Medal of Military Valor. He served successively in No. 32 Squadron and No. 43 Squadron of the RFC until he was wounded in action on 6 August 1917 and removed from combat. In November 1917, he would return to combat as a Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a pilot in No. 2 Squadron AFC.

On 2 April 1918, he and Roby Lewis Manuel destroyed a German reconnaissance aircraft southeast of Demuin. On the 12th, he destroyed one singlehanded over Vieille-Chapelle. On 9 May, he sent down a DFW reconnaissance aircraft out of control. On 1 June 1918, he destroyed a Fokker Triplane fighter over Chuignes. The following day, in two morning dogfights, he sent a Pfalz D.III out of control near Estrées, and another over Albert. His final tally amounted to six enemy aircraft destroyed, including the one shared with Manuel, and five more driven down out of control. He was also returned to Home Establishment in England during July. His DFC was gazetted on 3 August 1918. Its citation read:

Captain Henry Garnet Forrest (Australian Flying Corps) His leadership of patrols has been characterised by great dash and determination whether on high or low work. He has displayed skill in manoeuvring and boldness in attacking superior numbers.

Forrest is noted in newspaper notes of social and sporting events in the Broken Hill area throughout the 1920s–40s; he served as secretary of the local tennis club, for instance. On 30 December 1947, he is noted as a pallbearer at a friend's funeral.

Henry Garnet Forrest died on 3 December 1945 at the Repatriation Hospital, Caulfield, aged 49. His funeral took place at the Springvale Crematorium two days later. On 31 May 1951, the death of his widow Cora was noted.

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