Ian Forbes-Leith

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

Sir Ian Forbes-Leith Bt KT MBE JP
Personal details
Born	(1902-12-27)27 December 1902
Died	17 March 1973(1973-03-17) (aged 70)

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 and Amy Emma Browne, 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]