by Gerald Patterson

On April 22, 1889, Robert Forehand was born to Nellie Forehand of Petersburg, VA, and Shepard Forehand of Hertford, NC. He was an African American who was born in Norfolk, Virginia. Baptist was the choice of religion for Robert Forehand. He had only one child, Halonser Forehand, with Jennie King, an African American woman from Norfolk, Virginia. Robert Forehand and Jennie King married on June 1st, 1910. Before joining the Army, Robert Forehand worked as a Longshoreman at the Old Dominion S.S. Co. Forehand lived at 228 Suffolk St, Norfolk, VA .

On June 20, 1918, Robert Forehand enlisted in the Army as a private in Norfolk, Virginia. He was a member of the Army’s 4th Company, 1st Development Battalion, Col. 155th Depot Brigade. Robert Forehand underwent mental and physical experiences at Camp Lee, Va. His training lasted from June 20th to September 3rd, 1918, and he was also treated in the Base Annex Hospital. Robert Forehand was released from the Army as a Private on September 3rd, 1918, before ever experiencing any action or traveling overseas. He returned to Norfolk, Virginia, after being discharged.

He died on November 4th, 1931, at 42, in Norfolk, Virginia. Robert Forehand is buried in Norfolk, Virginia, in Calvary Cemetery, section GUS-F.

Sources:

“Virginia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, County Marriage Registers, 1853-1935,” database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:847T-KSPZ : 1 July 2022), Robert Forehand, 1 Jun 1910; citing Marriage Registration, Norfolk, Virginia, United States, Virginia State Library and Archives, Richmond.

Calvary Cemetery, Norfolk, VA, Burial Records. Calvary Cemetery, Norfolk, Virginia – Burial Records, Surnames F. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2022, from http://www.interment.net/data/us/va/norfolkcity/calvary-cemetery/surnames-f.htm

Login. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma990006684080205756&context=L&vid=01LVA_INST%3A01LVA&lang=en&search_scope=MyInstitution_noAER&adaptor=Local+Search+Engine&tab=LibraryCatalog&query=any%2Ccontains%2CRobert+Forehand%2CAND&mode=advanced&offset=0

USGENWEB archives – census wills deeds genealogy. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2022, from http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/military/ww1/ww1aasoldiersnorfolk.txt

Robert Forehand (1889-1931) – find a grave… Find a Grave. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102588409/robert-forehand#source