David Gordon, 4th Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair

Gordon attended Harrow School and graduated from Balliol College, Oxford, in 1930 with a Bachelor of Arts, then with a Masters in 1968. He attained the rank of Major in the service of the 5th/7th Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders and fought in the Second World War.

He became Deputy Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire in 1949,[1][2] Vice-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire in 1959, and Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire in 1973. He was also a County Councillor for Aberdeenshire in 1950 and Justice of the Peace for Aberdeenshire in 1955.

He was admitted to Royal Company of Archers in 1955 and invested as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1963. He was invested as a Knight of the Order of St John in 1964 and was a director of Northern Area Clydesdale Bank in 1968.[3]

On 29 April 1939, he married Beatrice Mary June Boissier, the daughter of Arthur Boissier, Headmaster of Harrow School (1939–1942). They had four (adopted) children:

• Lady Mary Katherine Gordon (b. 30 May 1946), married Simon Piers Welfare and had issue.
• Lady Sarah Caroline Gordon (b. 25 March 1948), married Patrick John Raleigh Scott and had issue.
• Lord Andrew David Gordon (b. 6 March 1950), married Lucy Mary Frances Milligan and had issue.
• Lord James Drummond Gordon (b. 11 April 1953), married Marilyn Sim.[4]

Until 2004, adopted children of peers had no right to any courtesy title. However, as a result of a Royal Warrant dated 30 April 2004,[5] adopted children are now automatically entitled to such styles and courtesy titles as their siblings. Therefore, on that date, Gordon's children automatically become lords and ladies.

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by David Gordon, 4th Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair