My Father in Law - Gord Forbes

[Black 03 Z06]

Today would have been my father in laws 95th birthday.

He was a member of the First Special Service Force in World War 2. The FSSF was a joint division with Americans and Canadian soldiers and the forerunners of the Green Beret. They were just recently awarded the American Congressional Medal of Honour.

Gord never talked about his service in the war until near the end of his life. The Germans called the FSSF the "Black Devils", they were fearless and never lost a battle.

He told me one of their favourite tricks was to sneak into German camps at night and leave a business card on the Germans chest that had they wished they would not be waking up this morning. They demoralized the Germans and they had a great fear of them

I am so proud of him, he was a great man. Rest in Peace Gord Forbes, you were indeed a hero.

 

[nascar03]

RIP Gord Forbes.
Thanx for your service.
Murray......our thoughts are with your whole family.
Graham

 

[FordPrefect]

What a great story about an even greater person, thanks so much for sharing. My father, who lost a leg in France, was also very reluctant to talk about those years.

So sad for so many young men, glad your father-in-law made it back. It's a real honor to know those people who gave so much.

 

[Black 03 Z06]

Thanks guys, he would be happy and proud to know you cared. Appreciated, we missed him yesterday.

 

[buckhorn76]

they were heroes but remained quiet. my dad saw heavy action as a field radio operator with the royal canadian artillery. condolences murray.

 

[Keith Tedford]

Our lads coming back from Kandahar, the modern day hell hole, suffer from PTSD. Back then they just went home and suffered silently as it wasn't even recognized as a problem. Those who see the real dirt, just want to put it out of their minds. It is too painful to remember.
Below are the type of people that really gets soldiers riled up. We had one in Peterborough and another further north.

http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/podcasts/artpodvid-2-carson2007

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/01/2...rvice-record-says-hes-sorry-hands-back-medals

 

[CCO]

A great man. We all appreciate his service, so that we may celebrate our birthdays in freedom.

Happy Birthday to him in absentia.

Thanks for sharing the story Murray.

C.