Engineer Lieutenant R.N.
Service number 268005.
AGSM Somaliland 1908-10 (HMS Hyacinth).
NGSM Persian Gulf 1909-14 (HMS Hyacinth).
Born Mossend, Lanarkshire 15th November 1872.
Died at sea 31st May 1916.
Buried in Gillingham (Woodlands) Cemetery, Kent (Naval. 24. 1258.).
James was survived by his widow Alice Amelia and 5 children.
The Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser 10 June 1916:
SHOTTS.
KILLED IN ACTION.- We have to record the death of Engineer Lieut. James Forrest, R.N.O., who was killed in action on the 31st ult., on board of H.M.S. “Acasta” in the great naval battle. Lieut. Forrest was eldest son of Mr Thomas Forrest, Shotts, foreman joiner, Shotts Iron Company, and was 42 years of age. He had 22 years service, and joined the Navy as artificer engineer, and through meritorious service was recently promoted by order of the Admiralty. He leaves a widow and five of a family. Lieut. Forrest was a native of Shotts, and much sympathy is felt for his family and parents.
South Eastern Gazette 13 June 1916:
Engineer-Lieut, James Forrest, R.N., killed on the Acasta, had his home at Gillingham. He was promoted to the rank of Engineer-Lieutenant on May 1st last from Chief Engineer Artificer, and until five days before the battle served in a mine-sweeper. He had completed twenty-one years’ service, was the possessor of the Somaliland and Persian Gulf Expeditions medals with clasps. He leaves a widow and five children, the eldest of whom is sixteen and the youngest two years of age.