User:Jamessforbes/sandbox

Bridgadier Alexander Moore Forbes MVO, MC Born 19 May 1892, Died 1961,

Alexander Moore FORBES was a distinguished Australian soldier who was the first recipient of the Sword of Honour from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1914.

He was born in St Kilda, in Melbourne the son of Alexander Stewart Forbes and his wife, Olive Moore. He was also the Great-grand son of Sir John Forbes, FRCP FRS (17 December 1787 – 13 November 1861), himself a distinguished Scottish physician, famous for his translation of the classic French medical text, De L'Auscultation Mediate by René Laennec, the inventor of the stethoscope, and physician to Queen Victoria 1841–1861.

Forbes was educated at the Church of England Grammar School where he obtained honours in English and History before commencing his military career in 1911. He entered the RMC on 22 June 1911 as part of what was known as the "initial batch" and on the basis of his excellent exam results was allocated cadet no. 2 as he was the second cadet to be attested by the then commandant, Brigadier General Bridges.

On 1 February 1914 he was appointed Battalion Sergeant Major of the Corps of Staff Cadets thus becoming the first BSM at Duntroon. He was later awarded the first Sword of Honour for "exemplary conduct and performance of duties". With the outbreak of World War 1 in July and August 1914, Forbes was, with his fellow class members, "specially graduated" on 14 August 1914 with the Australian Imperial Force. Ordinarily, they would have graduated at the end of the year.

In 1917, and having attained the rank of Captain, Forbes was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. By 1918, and now with the rank of Major, Forbes was further mentioned in dispatches by Field Marshall, Sir Douglas Haig.

After the war he returned as Adjutant at RMC from 1921 to 1922 and later was invested as a Member of the Royal Victorian Order by His Majesty, King George VI in 1938 for recognition of his services organising the unveiling the memorial at Villers-Brettoneux.

During World War 2, Forbes held several vital positions including Assistant Adjutant & Quartermaster-General 1st Australian Division; Commanding Officer 13th Heavy Brigade Royal Australian Artillery; Commanding Officer Coast Defence, Western Command; Chief Administration Officer Northern Command; Commanding Officer Base Command, Northern Command; Commanding Officer Fixed Defences Sydney-Kembla; Commandant of Sydney Fortress.

He retired on 1 December 1946 and died on ????? , 1961.

He was survived by his wife, Beryl Garland Stone and children, Alexander, David, Joanna, Patrick and Alexandra.