Flying Officer David John Forrest
- Rank
- Flying Officer
- Service number
- 406837
- Decorations
- Mentioned in Despatches
- Unit
- Royal Australian Air Force 100 Squadron
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action
- Place of death
- Timor Sea
- Date of death
- 21 May 1943
- Age
- 23
- Plaque number
- L156A
- Co-located plaques
- L156 - FSGT Frederick Cornish
- Dedicated by
- Family on 22 May 2010
- More information
Biography presented during plaque dedication:
Flying Officer David John Forrest MID of 100 Squadron was born in Perth in April 1920, a son of Robert and Agnes Forrest and brother to Don, Elizabeth and Shirley. They were raised at Minderoo station near Onslow.
David attended Guildford Grammar for seven years and enjoyed rowing, shooting and tennis and was a member of the school debating society.
After leaving school he was a jackeroo in South Australia and at Minderoo and Minilya stations in Western Australia.
He enlisted in the RAAF in April 1941 at Perth and trained at Cunderdin and Geraldton and was later posted to 100 Squadron at Richmond which was formed in February 1942.
The squadron flew its first combat missions in June 1942, making it the first RAAF Beaufort bomber-equipped squadron to see combat.
He was awarded a mention in despatches but the details aren't available at this time.
Flying from bases in eastern New Guinea the squadron carried out anti-shipping and bombing missions against the enemy.
Flying Officer David John Forrest MID, service NOA06837, of 100 Squadron, was killed in action flying Beaufort bomber A9-188 off Gasmata in the Timor Sea on 21 May 1943. He was 23 years old.