Orders, Decorations and Medals

The K.B.E. group awarded to Lord Forster of Harraby, Kt., Q.C., late Royal Garrison Artillery

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, K.B.E. (Civil) Knight Commander’s 2nd type neck badge and breast star, in its Garrard & Co case of issue; 1914-15 Star (2-Lieut. J. Forster, R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J. Forster); Coronation 1937, these four mounted as worn, together with related group of six miniatures which also include a Coronation Medal of 1953, and an unrelated Special Constabulary L.S. medal, G.VI.R. (Dudley Vosper), extremely fine (13) £600-700

John Forster was born at Carlisle, Cumberland on 15 September 1888. Educated at Sedburgh, he served throughout the Great War in the Royal Garrison Artillery, and was was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn in 1919. As a barrister-at-law, and Q.C. from 1946, he presided over the Trinidad Labour Riots Commission, 1937, the Court of Enquiry into the London Bus Dispute, and other industrial enquires. He was Deputy Umpire under the Unemployment Insurance Act of 1935; Chairman of the Railway Staff National Tribunal, 1940-60; and President of the Industrial Court, 1946-60. He was made a Knight Bachelor in 1939, a K.B.E. in 1948, and created 1st Baron Forster of Harraby in 1959. He died on 24 July 1972.