Sir David Erskine of Cardross

Capt. Sir Henry David Erskine of Cardross (5 January 1838 – 7 September 1921) was a Scottish military officer and courtier who was the Serjeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons from 1885–1915.

Early life and education

Erskine was born in Bombay, the eldest son of James Elphinstone Erskine (1804–1844) and Mary Eliza Fagan, daughter of Lt.-Gen. Christopher Fagan. His branch of the family descended from the second Lord Cardross (his father's great-grandfather) and the Earls of Buchan.

His father died in 1844. In 1847, David succeeded his grandfather as laird of Cardross in Stirlingshire.

He was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1901. He was knighted in the same order in 1911 Coronation Honours.

He served as a Groom of the Robes to Queen Victoria from 1870 until her death in 1901. From 1901 until his retirement in 1919, he served as Gentleman Usher to King Edward VII and then King George V.

Family and issue In 1861, at the Royal Chapel Windsor, Erskine married Horatia Elizabeth Seymour, daughter of Maj.-Gen. Francis Seymour and his wife, Lady Emily Seymour. In 1870, her father succeeded as the 5th Marquess of Hertford and his wife was then styled as Lady Horatia Erskine. They had six sons and one daughter.

Brig.-Gen. James Francis Erskine (4 June 1862 – 26 June 1936), married Margaret Beatrix Lambton Adm. Seymour Elphinstone Erskine (23 June 1863 – 23 February 1945), married Florence Laetitia Baker, daughter of Rev. Sir Talbot Baker, 3rd Baronet Walter Hugh Erskine (27 April 1870 – 15 February 1948), married Enid Rate Alan David Erskine (26 August 1872 – 26 October 1947), married Violet Emily Gregory Rachel Augusta Erskine (30 December 1875 – 30 November 1953), married Allen Cyprian Bourne Webb, son of Bishop Allen Becher Webb Ronald Keith Erskine (24 January 1879 – 27 March 1934), married Mabel Seabrook Dyson Colonel Sir Arthur Edward Erskine (1 September 1881 – 24 July 1963), married Rosemary Freda Baird, daughter of Brig.-Gen. Ned Baird

He died in 1921 at 26 Barton Street, Chelsea, London.