Arthur Erskine
Encyclopedia
Colonel
Sir Arthur Edward Erskine GCVO
, DSO
(1 September 1881 – 24 July 1963), was a British soldier and courtier. He was Crown Equerry
in the Royal Household
of the Sovereign
of the United Kingdom
from 1924 to 1941.
, Erskine was the fifth son of Sir David Erskine, Serjeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons, by Lady Horatia Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Seymour, 5th Marquess of Hertford
. He was a descendant of the noted 18th century jurist John Erskine of Carnock
and the nephew of Sir James Erskine. He was educated at Charterhouse
and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich
.
in 1916. He served in the Royal Artillery
until 1924, when he became Crown Equerry
in the Royal Household
of the Sovereign
. From 1919 to 1924 he was an Equerry
to the King
. From his retirement in 1941 until his death he was an Extra Equerry. From 1939 to 1963 he was Secretary and Registrar of the Order of Merit
, and from 1941 to 1946 Secretary of the Ascot
Authority. He was made a CVO
in 1926. He was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
(KCVO) in 1931 and promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) in 1935.
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Sir Arthur Edward Erskine GCVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
(1 September 1881 – 24 July 1963), was a British soldier and courtier. He was Crown Equerry
Crown Equerry
The Crown Equerry is the operational head of the Royal Mews of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. He is responsible for the provision of vehicular transport for the Sovereign, both cars and horse-drawn carriages...
in the Royal Household
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
of the Sovereign
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
from 1924 to 1941.
Background and education
A member of Clan ErskineClan Erskine
-Origins of the Name:The surname Erskine is derived from the name of Erskine, an area to the south of the River Clyde and ten miles to the west of Glasgow...
, Erskine was the fifth son of Sir David Erskine, Serjeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons, by Lady Horatia Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Seymour, 5th Marquess of Hertford
Francis Seymour, 5th Marquess of Hertford
Francis George Hugh Seymour, 5th Marquess of Hertford GCB PC , known as Francis Seymour until 1870, was a British courtier and Conservative politician...
. He was a descendant of the noted 18th century jurist John Erskine of Carnock
John Erskine of Carnock
John Erskine of Carnock was a Scottish jurist and professor of Scottish law at the University of Edinburgh...
and the nephew of Sir James Erskine. He was educated at Charterhouse
Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School, originally The Hospital of King James and Thomas Sutton in Charterhouse, or more simply Charterhouse or House, is an English collegiate independent boarding school situated at Godalming in Surrey.Founded by Thomas Sutton in London in 1611 on the site of the old Carthusian...
and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
.
Career
Erskine fought in the First World War, where he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the DSODistinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
in 1916. He served in the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
until 1924, when he became Crown Equerry
Crown Equerry
The Crown Equerry is the operational head of the Royal Mews of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. He is responsible for the provision of vehicular transport for the Sovereign, both cars and horse-drawn carriages...
in the Royal Household
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
of the Sovereign
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
. From 1919 to 1924 he was an Equerry
Equerry
An equerry , and related to the French word "écuyer" ) is an officer of honour. Historically, it was a senior attendant with responsibilities for the horses of a person of rank. In contemporary use, it is a personal attendant, usually upon a Sovereign, a member of a Royal Family, or a national...
to the King
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
. From his retirement in 1941 until his death he was an Extra Equerry. From 1939 to 1963 he was Secretary and Registrar of the Order of Merit
Order of Merit
The Order of Merit is a British dynastic order recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture...
, and from 1941 to 1946 Secretary of the Ascot
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
Authority. He was made a CVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
in 1926. He was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(KCVO) in 1931 and promoted to Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) in 1935.