Courtenay Forbes


Sir Victor Courtenay Walter Forbes was a British diplomat who served as British Ambassador to Peru from 1944 to 1945.

Early life and education

Forbes was born on 29 January 1889, the son of Capt Hon W. R. D. Forbes and Eveline née Farwell. He was educated at Eton College and University College, Oxford.

Career

Forbes joined the Foreign Office as a clerk in 1913. In 1924, he was promoted to first secretary. From 1930 to 1932, he served at Mexicio City, and then from 1932 to 1934 as counsellor at Madrid. In 1934, he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Lima and Quito, and in 1944, when the legation was raised to an Embassy, he was appointed Ambassador to Peru, serving in the post until his retirement in 1945.

Personal life and death

Forbes married Lula Juta in 1916 and they had a daughter. The marriage was dissolved. In 1950, he married Mary née Olivieri, widow of Walter Bizley.
Forbes died on 26 January 1958, aged 68.

Honours

Forbes was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in the 1941 New Year Honours, and promoted to Knight Commander in the 1945 New Year Honours.