1. George Erskine was a descendant of the noted 18th-century jurist John Erskine of Carnock.
15 Facts About George Erskine
1. 2.
George Erskine was educated at Charterhouse School and later entered the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the King's Royal Rifle Corps in 1918.
3.
George Erskine served during the First World War in France and Belgium and attended the Staff College, Camberley, from 1929 to 1930.
4.
In 1939 George Erskine became a General Staff Officer for 1st London Division of the Territorial Army.
5.
George Erskine served as Brigadier General Staff of XIII Corps, commanded by William Gott, a fellow officer of the KRRC, then Brian Horrocks and Miles Dempsey in 1942.
6.
George Erskine was then promoted to acting major general on 24 January 1943 and was appointed General Officer Commanding 7th Armoured Division.
7.
George Erskine served with the division in North Africa, Italy and Normandy between 1943 and 1944.
8.
Shortly afterwards, in the difficult bocage country during Operation Bluecoat, the 7th Armoured Division failed to gain its objectives and George Erskine was sacked and replaced by Gerald Lloyd-Verney.
9.
In spite of his indifferent performance as a field commander, George Erskine had qualities which suited him to other roles and this episode proved only a temporary setback to his career.
10.
George Erskine became Head of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force Mission to Belgium in 1944 and then GOC 43rd Infantry Division in 1945.
11.
George Erskine was responsible for overseeing the response to the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya, and led Operation Anvil in Nairobi in April 1954.
12.
George Erskine was GOC-in-Chief, Southern Command from 1955 to 1958, when he retired.
13.
George Erskine was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1950, a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1952 and a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in 1955.
14.
George Erskine was an Aide-de-Camp General to the Queen from 1955 to 1965.
15.
George Erskine married Ruby de la Rue, daughter of Sir Evelyn de la Rue, 2nd Baronet, in 1930.