Ian Forbes-Leith

Sir Robert Ian Algernon Forbes-Leith, 2nd Baronet KT MBE (27 December 1902 – 17 March 1973) was a Scottish landowner and soldier who served as Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire.[1]

Early life

Forbes-Leith was born Robert Ian Algernon Burn, on 27 December 1902, the youngest child of Sir Charles Burn, 1st Bt. and his wife the Hon. Ethel Louise Forbes-Leith, daughter of Alexander Forbes-Leith, 1st Baron Leith of Fyvie.[2] When Forbes-Leith was aged 23 in 1925, his father changed his name from Burn to Forbes-Leith on the death of the 1st Baron Leith and the inheritance of his estates, including Fyvie Castle.[2] Forbes-Leith was educated at Eton College followed by the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, from which he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Royal Artillery.[1] His father died in 1930 and Forbes-Leith inherited his lands and the family title, the Forbes-Leith baronetcy of Fyvie, of Jessfield.[2]

Career

Following his succession to the family baronetcy, Forbes-Leith was admitted to the Royal Company of Archers and was also appointed Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire.[1]

Forbes-Leith served during the Second World War and was mentioned in despatches during his service with the Royal Artillery.[1] Also during the war he was created Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services.[2] Following the war, Forbes-Leith rose to and retired on the rank of Major.[1]

Following his retirement from the Army, he was appointed Vice-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire in 1953, a position which he held until he took over as Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire on 29 January 1959.[1][3] In 1964 he was also appointed Deputy lieutenant of the City of Aberdeen and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Aberdeen.[2] On St Andrew's Day 1972, Forbes-Leith was appointed a knight of the Order of the Thistle.[4]

Family

Forbes-Leith married Ruth Avis Barnett, daughter of George Edward Barnett, on 23 February 1927 at St Margaret's, Westminster, London, England, they had four children together:[2]

  • John Alexander Forbes-Leith (31 August 1928 – 25 September 1949)
  • Sir Andrew George Forbes-Leith of Fyvie, 3rd Bt. (20 October 1929 – 4 November 2000)
  • Anne Rosdew Forbes-Leith (10 April 1932 – 11 April 2021)
  • Mary Elizabeth Forbes-Leith (14 Sep 1934 – 2 Dec 2018)

He died on 17 March 1973 and was succeeded in his title and lands by his second son, Andrew, his eldest son having predeceased him by 25 years.[1][2]

References
  1. "FORBES-LEITH of Fyvie, Sir (Robert) Ian (Algernon)". Who's Who 2022 & Who Was Who. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  2. Mosley, Charles (2003). Burke's Peerage and Baronetage; Volume 1 (107 ed.). Wilmington: Burke's Peerage Ltd. p. 1461.
  3. Text of the Lord-Lieutenants (Scotland) Order 1996 as originally enacted or made within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  4. "No. 45839". The London Gazette. 30 November 1972. p. 14189.


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