B63618 Warrant Officer Class II John “Jack” Forbes was born in Toronto, Ontario on 13 August 1917, the son of Thomas Patrick Forbes and Annie Tate. He had one sister and three brothers – one, Sergeant William Forbes, was also serving with The Queen’s Own Rifles. Another brother Tom was with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment and served in Italy.

Forbes attended Dovercourt Road School and Western Technical School and was a member of the Church of St Mary the Virgin.

He married Miss Vera Hackett on 12 April 1941. According to a 1946 letter by his parents to DND, Vera remarried after his death.

Forbes enlisted in The Queen’s Own Rifles (Militia) on 11 March 1940 and exactly three months later, he joined the QOR active service battalion. He was promoted to Acting Corporal in October and then proceeded to Newfoundland with the regiment as W Force.

After further training in Canada he landed with the Regiment in Scotland in July 1941 and was quickly appointed to Lance Sergeant, then Acting Sergeant, and finally confirmed Sergeant on 23 January 1942.

He was appointed Acting CSM in August 1943 and confirmed as a Warrant Officer 2nd Class (WOII) in the following November.

As Company Sergeant Major of D Company, WOII Forbes landed on Juno Beach on D-Day, 5 June 1944 but was killed on 11 June 1944 during the battle for Le Mesnil Patry, age 26.

Initially reported as missing, it is believed that he was first taken prisoner but was one of several QOR POWs murdered by members of the 12th SS Panzer Division (Hitler Youth.)

In his service file is a December 1945 letter from the Canadian Director of Records to his widow, noting that Forbes’ name was likely to come up during an upcoming war crimes trial and giving her a heads up that there would probably be some press reporting this. District  Chaplains were also requested to make personal visits to the relevant next of kin,

He is buried in Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference VII. H. 2. His name is also commemorated on the Canadian Memorial in Le Mesnil Patry, and on a family grave marker in Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto.