Identity area
Type of entity
Person
Authorized form of name
Erskine
David
1816-1903
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
David Erskine was educated at Harrow, and joined the army (51st King's Own Light Infantry) as an ensign in 1835 seeing service in India, Malta and Australia. He was appointed Visiting Magistrate in Cleveland, Tasmania in June 1839, at Green Ponds from November 1840 to March 1843, and then moved to Hobart.
He was promoted to Captain in 1845 and left Tasmania in 1846 for India. He was promoted to Major in 1855 and in 1858 he left the army by selling his commission. He next became Colonial Secretary of Natal colony until 1875. He was Resident Magistrate in Walvis Bay, Damaraland (Namibia), from 1878-1880. After retirement he returned to England with his family and was employed ordering the Natal archives. He died in 1903.