 In 1898, having developed consumption, Fordham retired from the practice and went to live in Bournemouth where he died the following year.He was replaced as partner by Charles Howard Minshull, who had been born in Chester in 1858 and who became articled to Douglas in 1874; the practice became Douglas & Minshull.During the first decade of the 20th century, Douglas became less active but, for reasons which are unknown, the partnership was dissolved in 1909.