Oswald Boyd Forbes


Oswald Boyd Forbes was a tea-broker, military officer and politician in Colonial Ceylon.

Early life and education

Oswald Boyd Forbes was born 10 August 1887 at Bishop's House, Colpetty, the third son of James Forbes and Caroline née Delmege. His older brother, Charles Morton, served as the Admiral of the Fleet. He received his education at Haileybury College between 1901 and 1906.

Career

In 1909 he joined his father's firm, Forbes and Walker Ltd, after business training in an accountants' office and in the Hong Kong Bank, London. Forbes was a member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and served as its president in 1948. In 1923 he was made a partner in Forbes and Walker remaining with the company until his retirement as senior partner in 1946.
Forbes served as the inaugural Secretary of the Ceylon Cricket Association following its formation in 1922, later serving as the Association's president in 1928.
In 1957 he was appointed as a member of the Parliament of Ceylon, replacing Reginald Percy Gaddum.

Military service

He was a member of the Ceylon Defence Force and served as the commanding officer of the Ceylon Garrison Artillery. In 1937 Forbes attended the Coronation of King George VI, as one of the official representatives of the Ceylon Defence Force, for which he received the Coronation Medal.

Family

Forbes married Gladys Irene née Copland Mackie on 19 November 1919 at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Edinburgh.

Honors

He was appointed Commander of the British Empire in 1941.