Obituaries Australia

David Forbes, by Freeman & Co, 1880s

National Library of Australia, 23638692

We regret to have to announce the sudden death of Mr. David Grant Forbes, formerly a Judge of the District Court of New South Wales, whose demise took place yesterday afternoon at his residence, Cromer, 91 Phillip-street, at the age of 82 years. Mr. Forbes was naturally a man of strong physique, and he led a most active life, but during the Commonwealth week he showed signs of failing health and suffered from an attack of rheumatic gout. He, however, rallied, and during the past few days was able to get about. Yesterday afternoon between 4 and 5 o'clock he was in the act of dressing, having decided to go out for a walk, when he was noticed to suddenly fall to the floor of his room. His medical advisor, Dr. Cohen, was immediately summoned, but life was found to be extinct.

The late Mr. Forbes was closely identified with the early life of Australia. He was the son of the late Hon. Sir Francis William Forbes, who was the first Chief Justice of New South Wales. Mr. Forbes was born on May 19, 1819, five days before the birth of the late Queen Victoria, and about a fortnight before the foundation-stone of the Supreme Court of New South Wales was laid. His education was commenced in Sydney, but was completed at Trinity College, Cambridge, England, where he took his B.A. degree. During his sojourn at the college Mr. Forbes took an active interest in athletic pastimes, and on more than one occasion rowed with the college eight. While in England Mr. Forbes was called to the Bar. He, however, decided not to practice in the English courts, but to return to New South Wales, where for some years he engaged in pastoral pursuits. He subsequently resumed his profession, and was appointed one of the Crown Prosecutors of the colony. About the year 1878 Mr. Forbes was elevated to the District Court Bench, where he continued to discharge his judicial functions with much satisfaction until some years ago, when he retired on a pension. Mr. Forbes has left a widow, three sons, and two daughters. One of his sons is Mr. George Holden Forbes, who is a solicitor practising at Wyalong. The funeral will take place on Saturday morning.