Cecil Forbes was the son of John and Anna Bella Forbes. He was born on 14th November 1885 in Omagh. He was one of at least seven children. By 1911, he was living in Belfast, working as a railway clerk. Private Cecil Forbes served with the Machine Gun Corps from the 23rd November 1914 until the 16th October 1918. He contracted tuberculosis and was medically discharged due to sickness. Cecil Forbes died at home in the Dungannon and Ballymagran area on 8th December 1920, aged 35 years old.
Further Information
Cecil Forbes was the son of John and Anna Bella Forbes (nee Mullan).
Cecil Forbes was born on 14th November 1885 in Omagh. He was one of at least seven children.
Known family: John Forbes, Anna Bella Forbes, Maria Forbes (born 27th September 1869, Monaghan), Henry Forbes (born 4th November 1871, Monaghan), Annie Forbes (born about 1871, Monaghan), Robert Francis Forbes (born 2nd June 1874, Monaghan), John Samuel Forbes (Born 8th March 1878, Monaghan), Cecil Forbes (born 14th November 1885, Omagh), George Forbes (born 28th January 1882, Omagh).
The 1901 census lists Cecil as age 15, living with the family at house 7 in Main Street, Caledon. He was still at school. His father was an estate clerk.
The 1911 census lists Cecil as age 25, a boarder at house 2 in Wellwood Street, Belfast. He was a Railway Clerk. His parents still lived in Caledon.
Private Cecil Forbes served with the Machine Gun Corps from the 23rd November 1914 until the 16th October 1918.
Private Forbes also contracted tuberculosis during the war and on 19th August 1918 he was listed as wounded. He was medically discharged due to sickness.
Cecil Forbes died of tuberculosis at home in the Dungannon and Ballymagran area on 8th December 1920, aged 35 years old.
It is not known where he is buried.
Private Cecil Forbes is commemorated locally on the World War One Roll of Honour in St John Parish Church, Caledon. He is listed as being R.I.F., presumably Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Cecil Forbes is not listed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and as such, does not have a CWGC headstone.
Many thanks to Kenny Farquhar, who provided both the name and all the information here
