F4144 Robert John "Jack" Forsyth, as an able seaman, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) corvettes HMAS Cessnock and Dubbo; Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Australian and northern waters; 1942-1946, interviewed by Margaret Rickard

Robert Forsyth talks about his education and early working life; recruitment into the RAN in WA; travel to the Flinders Naval Depot; basic training; a subterfuge to get leave; pay and promotion to Ordinary seaman; colleagues from SA; missing torpedo school because of injury; being drafted to HMAS Leeuwin, Fremantle and duties there; joining HMAS Cessnock in November 1942; joining the British Eastern Fleet in Kilindini, Kenya; the tribulations of having an RNR captain; boat racing in Kilindini and Aden; operational routine in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean; being damaged during transit to the Mediterranean; recreation during repairs at Massawa; escort duties and recreation in the Mediterranean; supporting the invasion of Sicily; return to Aden; Bombay escort duties from October 1942; training to operate the Cessnock's radar that was fitted in Bombay; refitting and recreation in East London and becoming engaged there; return to escort duties in the Indian Ocean; joining HMAS Launceston for return to Australia for further radar training at HMAS Balmoral, Sydney; joining HMAS Dubbo in Fremantle; sailing to New Guinea waters via Darwin; supporting land forces from Torokina, Bougainville and Aitape, New Guinea; being hospitalized in Torokina; rejoining Dubbo in Madang and the return voyage to Williamstown, Victoria; appreciation of Lieutenant Allen's kindnesses; demobilization and thoughts on recording medical conditions; Rejoining the Merredin Brewery and his subsequent career there and with the Swan Brewery; marriage and family, and housing and War Service Loans.

Part of a collection of nineteen oral history interviews conducted by the Royal Australian Navy Corvettes Association of Western Australia. Interviewers included John Roberts, Margaret Rickard, Lorna Dodd, William Gray Ritchie and Jack Shepheard.