J Stanley FORWARD

FORWARD, J STANLEY (b. England, 1877; d. Launceston, Tas, 20 Dec 1963). Pioneer Christian radio broadcaster.

Stan Forward came to Tasmania with his parents when he was five years old and settled in Launceston. Orphaned in his early teens, he was befriended by a Brethren family. Soon afterwards Stan, two sisters and one brother were all converted. In 1903 he married Lily Morse, who was a lifetime help to him. He worked in a number of businesses, moving to different parts of the state until 1920 when he settled in Launceston.

In 1931 he was asked by the manager of radio station 7LA (Launceston) to prepare Christian programs. Stan commenced with a program for children. This proved successful. He also commenced hospital visitation distributing fruit and flowers and speaking about Jesus. The radio program 'Hospital Session' complemented his visits. He became one of the best known Christians in the area and was awarded a BEM for community service. His death, in 1963, brought to a close more than 30 years of continuous Christian broadcasting. This Christian ministry was exercised by one who remained all his life in secular employment and who refused to ask publicly for any funds for his evangelistic outreach.

Alan F Dyer, God Was Their Rock (Sheffield, Tasmania, 1974)

KEN J NEWTON