Harold Forster Major Harold Thomas Forster DSO and Bar , MC and Bar ( 14 November 1878 – 29 May 1918 ) was a British career soldier . He first served in the Royal Marines Light Infantry in the late 19th century before joining the British Army where he served in the ranks of the Royal Berkshire Regiment . By the outbreak of the First World War he was a company sergeant major . Repeatedly decorated during the war he was commissioned , continuing to serve with the Royal Berkshires until 1918 . He then transferred to the 2nd Battalion , Northamptonshire Regiment as second - in - command . At the time of his death , he was acting commanding officer following the earlier death of the battalion ' s lieutenant - colonel . Forster was also a keen sportsman and played a season of first - class cricket for Hampshire County Cricket Club in 1911 . He was a left - handed batsman who bowled left - arm slow - medium . Army career . Forster was born at St Faith , Winchester , Hampshire on 14 November 1878 . His service record shows that he served with the Royal Marines Light Infantry from 1897 to 1899 . Having bought himself out , he then re - enlisted in the Royal Berkshire Regiment . He progressed through the ranks , and by the outbreak of the First World War was a company sergeant major in 1st Battalion , Royal Berkshires . His battalion was sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force , he is recorded as first entering a theatre of war on 13 August 1914 . Forster was commissioned on 25 June 1915 , and posted to the 2nd Battalion . He was promoted lieutenant on 28 December 1915 . On 15 June 1916 Forster was Mentioned in Despatches , and on 19 August 1916 he was awarded the Military Cross for distinguished conduct in the field while still a CSM , the citation read : He was appointed battalion adjutant on 22 October 1916 . He received a further Mention on 25 May 1917 . The award of the Distinguished Service Order was gazetted on 26 September 1917 , as was the Bar to his MC , He was again Mentioned in Despatches on 21 Decmebr 1917 . The citations for the DSO and Bar to the MC followed on 9 January 1918 : In April 1918 he was attached to 2nd Battalion , Northamptonshire Regiment as an acting major and second - in - command . He assumed command of the battalion when the lieutenant - colonel was presumed killed on 24 April . Forster himself was killed in action at Bouleuse Ridge , near Ventelay , Marne on 29 May 1918 , he was initially only reported missing , and it took until 23 March 1919 for his death to be confirmed . He is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery , Wimille . On 16 September 1918 he was belatedly awarded a Bar to his DSO for the first few days of his command of 2nd Northants , the citation read : Cricket career . Forster made his first - class debut for Hampshire 1911 against the Marylebone Cricket Club , where on debut he took 5 / 38 in the Marylebone Cricket Club ' s first innings , claiming figures of 9 / 92 in the match . Forster played five first - class matches for Hampshire in 1911 , with his final first - class appearance coming against Gloucestershire . In his five first - class matches Forster took ten wickets at an average of 21 . 20 . This was Forster ' s only season in first - class cricket . During his army career , Forster also played for battalion sides . External links . [ A HERO OF THE GREAT WAR ] by one of Harold Forster ' s grandsons . http : / / www . alfo . pwp . blueyonder . co . uk / htforster . htm