After negotiating the merger of Nettlefold & Chamberlain with Guest Keen in 1902, and becoming MD of Guest Keen & Nettlefold, one of the largest UK manufacturers Charles Steer II must have found himself a rich man with a position to keep. Tragically, the family had only four years to enjoy Forelands before Charles's untimely death in 1906.
After this the house was leased out, but towards the end of WW1 a decision must have been reached to sell it. The house itself was bought at auction on behalf of The Birmingham Cripple Union.