Captain Archibald Speirs

Captain Archibald Alexander Speirs (1840-1868) of the Scots Fusilier Guards was the only son of Alexander Speirs of Elderslie House, Renfrewshire, who died on 5 October 1844. Born at Leamington Priors on 5 June 1840 and educated at Eton, 'Archie' Speirs joined the Scots Fusilier Guards by purchase on 2 February 1858. He rose from the rank of Ensign to that of Lieutenant on 21 November 1862, and sold out in July 1865. He was Member of Parliament for Renfrewshire from 19 July 1865 until his death. On 3 September 1867 he married Anne Pleydell-Bouverie, daughter of the 4th Earl of Radnor. In May 1868 Mrs Speirs prematurely gave birth to a stillborn daughter.

Captain Speirs died, aged 28, at Elderslie House, Renfrewshire, on 30 December 1868. The cause of death was gastric fever.

'The country will be startled to learn that Captain Speirs, so recently returned, for the second time, as Representative in Parliament of his native County of Renfrew, died at quarter to ten o'clock yesterday forenoon at Elderslie House. It was known for the last fortnight past he had been labouring under an attack of gastric fever; but, considering his youth and the eminent medical skill brought to bear upon this case, the hope was ardently entertained that he would be enabled to conquer the disease. This, however, was not to be and the sad result will diffuse heartfelt grief throughout the West of Scotland and wherever the deceased gentleman was known' (Fife Herald, 31 December 1868).

Photographed by A.A.E. Disdéri of Paris.