Mrs Forsyth, Mother of Six N.Z. Soldiers, Dead

Northern Advocate, 18 September 1939, Page 4

Mrs Forsyth, Mother of Six N.Z. Soldiers, Dead

Mother of six sons who served with the New Zealand Army during the last war, Mrs Emma Elizabeth Forsyth passed away at Point Chevalier. Auckland, aged 78. Five of her sons actually saw service overseas.

They were: Ivan Forsyth (11th Reinforcements), killed m action on the Somme.

Clarence (9th Reinforcements), invalided home, but who returned with the Australian forces. He is now resident at Te Awamutu. Albert Edward (14th Reinforcements), who won the M.M. at Messines, and who resided with his mother at Point Chevalier., William John (12th Reinforcements), slightly wounded at Armentiers. Working in the Hokianga district.

Hadlow (22nd Reinforcements), twice wounded in France. Now of King Street, Whangarei. Sixth Son in Camp

The sixth son, Herbert James Forsyth, was in camp when the Armistice was signed. Allan Leslie Forsyth could not join his brothers in the army as he was still attending school. He is fn business in Loan Street, Auckland. The surviving daughters are Mesdames N. Dickey (Mains’ Avenue, Whangarei) and E. Wallbank (Onehunga). Both the sons-in-law also served their country, Mr Wallbank in South Africa and Mr Dickey in. the last wax - .

Mr James Forsyth, husband of deceased, was the first breeder of pedigree Jersey cattle in the Whangarei district. First Jersey Stud His Kensington stud, operated on his farm adjoining the present racecourse, was famous throughout the Dominion. One cow, Flora 11., was unbeaten in the show ring, being four times Auckland provincial champion. She was sold at the age of 14 for 200 guineas, a record price in those days. Both Mr and Mrs Forsyth were born at Avondale, where they married prior to taking up residence here nearly 50 years ago.

Mr Forsyth combined farming with carpentry, first as an employee of the late Mr R. Keyte and later on his own account. He built the first factory and offices for the Hikurangi Dairy Company.

After his death in 1914, Mrs Forsyth, with a daughter, kept the dairy stud together and dairy production up during the war period. Disposing of her interests in 1920, she returned to No. 5 Fifth Avenue, Point Chevalier. Greatly interested in the development of early Whangarei, she was nevertheless of a retiring disposition. The funeral will take place at Kamo Cemetery at 2 p.rn. on Tuesday afternoon.