OBITUARY I

SIR E. FORBER

DISTINCTION IN CIVIL SERVICE

Sir Edward Forber, K.C.B., C.B.E., who died yesterday at the age of 81, had a long and distinguished career in the Civil Service: first in the Ministry of Health, where he was Deputy Secretary from 1925 to 1930; then from 1930 to 1934 as Chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise; and from 1934 until his retirement from the service in 1938, as Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue.

Edward Rodolph Forber was the son of Thomas Forber, of Liverpool, and was born on July 20, 1878. He was educated at Liverpool College and at Liverpool University before going up to Trinity College. Cambridge, where he was 14th Wrangler in 1899, bracketed with Mr. J. J. Wills. C.B., who has also had a distinguished career in the Civil Service. Forber entered the old Local Government Board in 1900, and by gradual steps attained the position of Deputy Secretary in 1925, by which time the Local Government Board had become the Ministry of Health. There he was particularly identified with the problem of housing from the early days of the Addison scheme of 1919. the parent of all subsequent legislation on the subject. He was also concerned with the administration of the complex Rating and Valuation ACts, 1924, which reformed thc system of local rates.

Apart from his outstanding ability, Forber will long be remembered with real affection by all who served with or under him. Beneath a somewhat rugged exterior he was kindly and unassuming, and his pleasant sense of humour, combined with real human sympathy, made for excellent relations with the large staffs under his control. His last official years were beset with ill-health, and on reaching the age of 60 he retired in 1938, to the real regret of his coUeagues and staff. He was a proficient French and German scholar and was at home on the Continent, where his vacations were usually spent.

Forber married first, in 1905, Catherine Mary, daughter of F. Howell, of Liverpool. and secondly, in 1929. Janet Elizabeth, daughter of William Ward Lane-Clayton,

f Boston, Lincolnshire. Lady Forber, M.D. D.Sc. (London), has herself had a distinguished career, having been dean of the household and social service department, King's College for Women, and is the author of several works on the subjects of hygiene and child welfare.