Son of Gen. Sir John Forbes, G.C.B., of Inverernan, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, and the late Lady Forbes (nee Drummond). Resided in Bulawayo, Rhodesia. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918
CMG LG 21 November 1910 (as Member of the Legislative Council of Southern Rhodesia); DSO LG 31 May 1901 (with Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry)