257 Forysth Rd Linton Military Camp Palm Nth, aerial view 2019
Reason for the name
This street was named in honour of Sgt Samuel Forsyth NZ Engineer 2nd Battalion. Auckland Infantry Regt 1NZEF. Most streets within NZDF Camps and Bases are named in honour of prominent people, battles, campaigns, ships, aircraft and places creating a rich history of our military service.
The naming of this street is unusual in that Forsyth street in Linton is spelt with an e (Forsythe). Samuel Forsyth (1891-1918) enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force at the outbreak of war in 1914, and sailed with the main body to Egypt. He fought at Gallipoli where he received a slight wound, and was evacuated twice with illness. He was seconded to 2nd Auckland Battalion in August 1918, and was posthumously awarded the VC for his actions at Grevillers, France, on 24 August 1918.
Author: The Poppy Places Trust
Sgt Forsyth’s citation reads:
“Victoria Cross (VC) Citation:
"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the attack on Grevillers, 24th August 1918. On nearing the objective, his company came under heavy machine-gun fire. Through Sergeant Forsyth's dashing leadership and total disregard of danger, three machine-gun positions were rushed and the crews taken prisoners, before they could inflict any casualties on our troops. During the subsequent advance his company came under heavy fire from several machine-guns, two of which he located by daring reconnaissance. In his endeavour to gain support from a tank he was wounded, but after having the wound bandaged he again got in contact with the tank, which, in the face of very heavy fire from machine-guns and anti-tank guns, he endeavoured to lead, with magnificent coolness, to a favourable position. The tank, however, was put out of action. Sergeant Forsyth then organised the tank crew and several of his men into a section, and led them to a position where the machine guns could be outflanked. Always under heavy fire, he directed them into positions which brought about the retirement of the enemy and enabled the advance to continue. This gallant N.C.O. was at that moment killed by a sniper. From the moment of the attack to the time of his death, Sergeant Forsyth's courage and coolness, combined with great power of initiative, proved an invaluable incentive to all who were with him, and he undoubtedly saved many casualties among his comrades."." London Gazette, 18 October 1918
