Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Photo of James Forbes – Private James Forbes in uniform, circa late summer 1915 following his August 1915 enlistment. Photo taken in Private Forbes' hometown of Saskatoon, prior to departure to England.

Memorial – Memorial certificate #164, issue by the City of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, certifying that a memorial tree was planted in honour of Private James Forbes, 10th Battalion, who lost his life July 3, 1916 in World War I. Saskatoon was Private Forbes' hometown. Following the war, a close comrade in arms conveyed to the Forbes family in Saskatoon, that immediately after he and James exited their trench on a charge toward the German line, James, running at his friend's side, was struck in the chest by a German bullet and fell mortally wounded, face forward, in the mud. The certificate makes reference to Private Forbes dying at Ypres, July 3, 1916, which likely placed him at the Battle of the Somme, then being waged during that date in 1916, a short distance away.

Railway Dugouts Burial Ground – The Railway Dugouts Burial Ground Cemetery, located approximately 3 kilometres to the south of Ieper, Belgium. May they rest in peace. (J. Stephens)

Grave Marker – The grave marker at the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground Cemetery located approximately 3 kilometres to the south of Ieper, Belgium. May he rest in peace. (J. Stephens 2010)

Grave Marker – Grave marker ... Railway Dugouts Burial Ground … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens