The Fritham Patrol was set up by Gerald Forward who was Patrol Sergeant from its creation until he was promoted to assistant Group Commander in April 1944. He recounted some of the details in a privately published biography. Gerald Forward was an Agister, a type of supervisor of the livestock of the New Forest, with specific responsibility for the welfare of the free ranging animals. Together with his brother Hubert, he covered the 93,000 acres of the Forest during the war.
After the war, Gerald Forward was elected as a Verderer, an important quasi-judicial role within the New Forest. He was awarded an MBE for this work in the 1974 New Years Honours list.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampshire Group 2 - New Forest Area | Assistant Group Commander | 01 Apr 1944 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Fritham Patrol | Patrol Leader | 23 Jul 1940 | 01 Apr 1944 |
Agister of New Forest
Second Lieutenant from 19th April 1944. Gerald reported training with Regular soldiers, possibly a Hampshire Scout Section as well as being sent away on training courses, most likely a Patrol leaders course at Coleshill House.
The 1911 Census records him living with Jane Forward, a widowed dairy farmer, and he is recorded as her adopted son.
WO 199/3391
1939 Register
Hancock data held at B.R.A
The late Gerald Forward