WESTERN AUSTRALIA. — Alexander Forrest was born on September 22, 1849, at Picton in Western Australia. He gained much of his experience as an explorer from working with his brother John, but was an established explorer in his own right.
In 1879 Alexander led an expedition from the DeGrey River, up the coast to Beagle Bay, then inland into the area now known as the Kimberley. He discovered good country and the Fitzroy River, but when he came across another river in the east, a shortage of food forced the men to keep moving, rather than explore the river more closely.
By August 24, 1879, the future of the expedition was threatened by an increasingly desperate shortage of rations.
With only 27kg of flour remaining and most of the horses killed for food, Forrest’s only solution was to push 160km east to the Overland Telegraph Line, where they could receive the necessary food and water.
