No.247095, Lieutenant, Alistair Robert Hervey ERSKINE M.C.
Aged 22
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the Hon. Alistair Robert Hervey Erskine was born on 21st March 1923 in Ickworth (2nd qtr 1923 Bury St.Edmunds 4a:1649) Son of John Francis Ashley, Lord Erskine, G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., and of Lady Marjorie Erskine (née
Hervey), Commander of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal, of Ickworth.
His parents were in India from 1934 - 1940. In the 1939 register his grandparents (Lord and Lady Hervey) and his brother John Francis were at Ickworth House His address at probate was Alloa House, Alooa, Clackmannan. |
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details
The right hand medal is the 1937 Coronation medal (he was a page boy).
He was commissioned on 3rd October 1942, awarded the Military Cross on 21st December 1944 for action in Italy. The recommendation reads:-
During the TRIMONSUOLI period (about 25 Jan 44), Lt. ERSKINE took out an ambush patrol. Half-way to their objective the patrol was surprised
by a German standing patrol, in the neighbourhood of a house, being fired on by L.M.G. [light machine gun] fire from several points simultaneously. Lt.ERSKINE
immediately split his patrol into two parts, and under cover of fire from one of these, led the other to attack the house. With great dash
and total disregard to personal safety, he and his party entered the house, killing one German and wounding another with a T.S.M.G.
[Thompson Sub Machine Gun] and
forcing the other Germans to leave the house. One of these was probably killed by a Bren gun covering the back entrance. By this time a
general German alarm had been given, the patrol was subjected to more intense L.M.G. fire from all sides. Lt. Erskine then collected the patrol,
which had been split up, and withdrew them with all speed. The patrol had gained valuable information regarding enemy dispositions, in
addition to causing three enemy casualties.
Lt. ERSKINE has been continuously in action with his platoon since the SALERNO landing, and he also commanded the company for 48 hours
during the first battle of CAMINO. Throughout this period he has shown exceptional devotion to duty during many extremely dangerous and
trying situations, displaying outstanding courage, cheerfulness and ability, and being a constant inspiration to his platoon by his clear
headed leadership"
19th April 1954
From The Scots Guards, pg 452, 2nd Bn, Germany:1945:
Visselhoevede:-
The G Company platoon has been less fortunate; a burst of Spandau fire from a projecting window, when they were in position of comparative
safety between a tank and a wall, hit Lieutenant ERSKINE and every member of his Platoon Headquarters, Lieutenant ERSKINE died while being
taken to the rear in an ambulance later in the day. He had earned the reputation of being "the best soldier in the Battalion", and
"soldiering came naturally to him ... he could concern himself therefore with the embellishments while we were struggling with the fundamentals."
Originally buried near Kettenburg, he was re-interred in Becklingen on 6th August 1946
photo CWGC