Private John Reginald Forsyth

Birth: February 15, 1920 in Richmond, BC
Death: July 26, 1944 in Italy
Service: WWII
Service Number: K67905

Biography:
John Reginald Forsyth (note an 'e' was added at the end of Forsyth in the original naming of this road) was the third son of Duncan and Annie Forsyth who had eight children. The family home was at 492 Steveston Highway. Jack attended English School, Bridgeport School and Richmond High School. While in high school, Jack organized a band, playing the French horn, and he was a Vancouver Sun delivery boy. Before he joined the army, he did custom tractor work.  

On enlistment September 2, 1940 he joined the Irish Fusiliers later transferring to the 9th Armoured Tank regiment and embarked for overseas November 1941.  Through illness in February 1944 he had to leave the 9th Armoured Tank regiment, and later joined the 14th Canadian Calgary Tank regiment. John died of head wounds received in action on July 26, 1944. His two older brothers, George and Douglas, also served with the Canadian Army in Italy.

History of the Road Name (Forsyth Crescent):

• Council Resolution to adopt road name: Council Minutes February 4, 1946, res. 8711, pg. 45
• In December 1988 (Council Minutes December 13, 1988) Council passed a resolution correcting the misspelling that had occurred during the naming in 1946, restoring the name to Forsyth without the "e"