See Directory for William's brother Able Seaman James Forsyth's page. William joined the Royal Naval Division in July 1913 and was later was posted to H.M.S. "Achilles". After just 3 weeks he was transferred to H.M.S. "Natal". On the 30th of December 1915, Natal was lying in the Cromarty Firth with her Squadron, under the command of Captain Eric Back. The Captain was hosting a film party aboard and had invited the wives and children of his Officers, one civilian friend and his family, and Nurses from the nearby Hospital ship "Drina" to attend. A total of seven women, one civilian male, and three children were in attendance that afternoon. Shortly after 15:25, and without warning, a series of violent explosions tore through the rear part of the ship. She capsized five minutes later. Some thought that she had been torpedoed by a German U-boat or detonated a submarine-laid mine, but examination of the wreckage revealed that the explosions were internal. A total of 421 crew, civilian visitors died in the explosion, including women and children and 3 Nursing Sisters from Queen Alexander’s Royal Naval Nursing Service from the Hospital Ship "Drina" which was also in the harbour. Several of the casualties died over the days following the explosion. 400 of the crew survived. See photos for William's Naval Medal and Award Rolls, William's Enrolment Form, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial Panel List, his listing on the Portsmouth Memorial, H.M.S. "Natal" x 2, the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Cap Badge and Newspaper clippings x 4 (Coatbridge Express x 2, Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1 and the Coatbridge Leader x 1). Finally, you can read the story of H.M.S. "Natal" from 1905 - 1915
here
