Brown leather wallet and notebook : Bugler A E Forbes, 3 Queensland Contingent

Rectangular brown leather three-fold wallet, with sterling silver clasp marked TDLR (possibly Thomas De La Rue & Co) and hallmarked London, 1899. A sterling silver shield surmounted by an engraved lion is attached to the reverse. The shield is engraved: 'Presented to A E Forbes Bugler 3rd Queensland Contingent in Recognition of his Bravery at Koster River, SA by the Governor General of Australia on behalf of Subscribing Citizens 19-9-01'. The interior of the wallet is lined with fine grain leather and is fitted with four pockets and embossed in silver with the maker's details. The wallet also contains a matching leather bound notebook with silvered edges.

Wallet presented to 297 Bugler Arthur Edward Forbes, 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry. Forbes. Forbes was born on 4 December 1881 at Brisbane, but later lived in Bundaberg, Queensland. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his action at Koster's River, Transvaal on 22 July 1900. Forbes was also mentioned in despatches in 1901. Forbes returned to Australia, before re-embarking for South Africa in March 1902, this time serving with the Australian Commonwealth Horse. In 1909 Forbes was ordained as a Baptist minister. In March 1915 he was commissioned as a chaplain (4th class) but resigned his commission and enlisted as a gunner because of the delay in posting him overseas. He was discharged from his battery just before it embarked and again attested as a chaplain in June 1917, serving in England and France. Forbes returned to Australia in 1919 and served as a part-time chaplain with the Australian Military Forces between the wars. He was awarded the Efficiency Decoration in 1938. Between 12 September 1941 and 16 January 1944, he served as a full-time military chaplain in South Australia, being discharged on with the rank of Major. Major Forbes died in 1946.