Obituaries Australia

On April 10 Mr. William Forrest, jun., of Dwalganup, accompanied by Mr. Wilfred Steere, was moving some trucks in the goods-shed at the Dalgarrup railway station shortly after the train from Bunbury left for Bridgetown. Mr. Steers was occupied in driving the horses, and while engaged in this work the animals became restive and plunged forward. Mr. Steere was unable to check them, and called out to Mr. Forrest to endeavour to put the break-down on the track. In trying to do this as the truck was leaving the shed Mr. Forrest collided with considerable violence with an iron bar on the door of the goods-shed. He was struck in the region of the stomach and fell to the ground. He was picked up in an unconscious condition. Everything was done by his friends that could be done. However, in spite of various remedies which were tried, Mr. Forrest remained unconscious for several hours. Mr. Dickinson, of Bridgetown, who was present at the time, decided to take Mr. Forrest into Bunbury. Dr. Williams, of Bunbury, met the train at Donnybrook, in order to render Mr. Forrest any assistance in his power, and he went on to Bunbury by the same train. The case proved a most serious one, and Dr. Williams considered it advisable that Mr. Forrest should be taken to the hospital, in order that he might be more immediately under trained and medical supervision. This course was adopted. After his arrival in Bunbury two operations were performed with a view of affording relief to the sufferer, who, however, sank under his injuries, and expired on the night of the 12th inst. He was conscious until within a short time of his death.

Mr. William Forrest was the eldest son of Mr. William Forrest of Picton, near Bunbury, and was born in the last-named town, and was the eldest brother of the Premier, Sir John Forrest, M.L.A., and Mr. Alex Forrest, M.L.A., Mayor of Perth. He was educated at Bishop's School, Perth, being one of the first boarders in the school when it was founded by the first Bishop of Perth, the late Right Rev. Mathew Blagden Hale, D.D. Among his contemporaries in the school, who still remain, are Mr. S. H. Parker, Q.C., and Mr. O. W. Ferguson, of Houghton, on the Swan. After finishing his education, Mr. Forrest decided to follow agricultural pursuits, and for a considerable period combined the business of a mill-owner with farming on the Greenough. This he relinquished to engage in squatting at Dwalganup, in the Blackwood district, in which he continued for the rest of his life. In that district he led a quiet but useful life, finding time to busy himself in matters of local public interest with great advantage to his fellow-selectors. Of an extremely kind and hospitable disposition, he made plenty of friends, and was held in high esteem by all acquainted with him. Mr. Forrest, at the age of 21, married Mary Ann Fowler, the eldest daughter of Mr. John Fowler, of Preston, in the Wellington district, by whom he had a large family. His wife and family survive him, and for these as well as for the Premier, Mr. W. Forrest sen., and his other relatives the utmost sympathy has been expressed in their sudden bereavement.