A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Forster, Matthew Charles
FORSTER. (Commander, 1847. f-p., 21; h-p., 11.)
Matthew Charles Forster is son of the late Colonel Forster, of Gatcombe House, co. Hants. This officer entered the Navy, 17 Jan. 1815, as a Volunteer, on board the Cornwallis 74, Capt. John Bayley, bearing the flag in the East Indies of his patron, Sir George Burlton. Previously to passing his examination, in June, 1821, he further served, as Volunteer and Midshipman, in the Doris 42, and Wye 26, both commanded by Capt. John Harper, and in the Hind 20, Capt. Sir Chns. Burrard, on the same and on the North American and Channel stations. He then successively joined, as Mate, on the Brazilian, Home, North American, and Mediterranean stations, the Doris again, Capts. Thos. Graham, Fred; Edw. Venables Vernon, and Wm. Jas. Hope Johnstone, Albion 74, Capt. Sir Wm. Hoste, Victory 104, flag-ship of Sir Geo. Martin, Manly 12, Capt. Field, and Hussar 46, and Britannia 120, flag-ships of Sir Chas. Ogle and Sir Pulteney Malcolm. He attained the rank of Lieutenant 22 Oct. 1830, and was subsequently appointed – for two months to the Ferret 10, Capt. Edw. Wodehouse, in the Mediterranean – 16 Jan. 1832, to the Victory again, flag-ship at Portsmouth of Sir Thos. Foley and Sir Thos. Williams – 1 May, 1833, and 5 Sept. 1835, to the San Josef 110, and Royal Adelaide 104, bearing each the flag of Sir Wm. Hargood at Plymouth, where he continued until paid off, in April, 1836 – and, 11 June, 1845, to the Rodney 92, Capt. Edw. Collier, part of the Channel squadron. He acquired the rank of Commander 27 Jan. 1847.
Commander Forster married, 20 Sept. 1832, Mary, niece of Capt. Edw. Wallis Hoare, R.N., sister of Commander Wm. O’B. Hoare, R.N., and daughter of Sir Joseph Wallis Hoare, Bart., by Lady Harriet O’Bryen, sister of Vice-Admiral the Marquess of Thomond, G.C.H.; and became a widower 11 Dec. 1836. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.