Samuel Forsyth VC (1891–1918) was a non-commissioned officer in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award of the British Commonwealth for gallantry "in the face of the enemy", during the First World War.
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Forsyth was born in Wellington, New Zealand 3 April 1891 to Thomas Forsyth.[1] He was 27 years old, married, and a sergeant in the New Zealand Engineers, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, attached to 2nd Battalion, Auckland Infantry Regiment during the First World War, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 24 August 1918 at Grevillers, France. He died that same day.
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On nearing the objective, his company came under heavy machine-gun fire. Through Serjt. Forsyth's dashing leadership and total disregard of danger, three machine-gun positions were rushed and the crews taken prisoner before they could inflict many casualties on our troops. During subsequent advance his company came under heavy fire from several machine guns, two of which he located by a daring reconnaissance. In his endeavour to gain support from a Tank, he was wounded, but after having the wound bandaged, he again got in touch 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. Serjt. 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 a retirement of the enemy machine guns and enabled the advance to continue. This gallant N.C.O. was at that moment killed by a sniper. From the commencement of the attack until the time of his death Serjt. 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.—The London Gazette, No. 30967, 18 October 1918[1]
He is buried at Adanac Military Cemetery, France. Plot I, row 1, grave 39.