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Name: ERSKINE, Francis David Monteith MC
Photo Source: Sitrep June 2009
Nee: son of Sir Derek Erskine
Birth Date: 7 Sep 1929 Nairobi
Death Date: 12 Aug 2013 Naivasha
Profession: Farmer. Engaged in fight against Mau Mau
Area: 1951 Gilgil, 1967 'Kiptana Farm' Kipkabus, 1975 'Sanctuary Farm' Naivasha, Thika
Married: 7 Nov 1958 Marie-Claude Irène (div. 1963) (dau of R. M. A. Mange of Kenya)
Children: Clive Patrick Monteith (28 May 1959); Guy Francis (23 Feb 1961)
Book Reference: Sundown, Hut, Debrett, mini-SITREP XIII, Burke
War Service: Acting Capt. Kenya Regt. KR 3599
General Information:
mini-SITREP XIII - 'They Staked their Lives on Mau Mau Disguise' by R.V. Gillman - '........ The commander of these "men of the Kenya Regiment" was Captain Francis Erskine (later awarded the Military Cross, with a secret citation). He is an old Etonian, son of Mr Derek Erskine who is a former member of Kenya Legislative Council, and grandson of a British MP. Among his companions was a friend of schooldays in Nairobi, a temporary Kikuyu Guard District Officer, named Peter Nicholas. At 26, he was two years older than Erskine, and he has since received the George Medal for "tenacity, ingenuity, daring and outstanding leadership." Both Kenya-born, these two are typical of the men who tricked Mau Mau and gambled their lives on a disguise. The Kikuyu called Captain Erskine "Karuku" - the foolhardy or fearless one.
Sundown - Involved in 'blacking-up' operations in Mau Mau