Philip Anstruther

Lieutenant-General Philip Anstruther (bap. 26 July 1682 – 11 November 1760), of Airdrie House, Fife, was a professional soldier from Scotland and Member of Parliament between 1715 and 1754. He was a controversial Lieutenant Governor of Menorca. Personal details Philip Anstruther was baptised at Edinburgh on July 26 1682, only son of Sir James Anstruther of Airdrie House, in Fife, and his wife Katherine Skene; his father, a lawyer and Clerk of the Bills in the Parliament of Scotland, died the same year. He died unmarried on 11 November 1760 and left his estate to his cousin, Sir John Anstruther, 2nd Baronet. Career There are few details available on Anstruther's military career and it is not clear if he ever saw action; in 1710, he was appointed Captain in the Foot Guards, but these positions were based in London and often required little military service. In 1720, he purchased the colonelcy of the Cameronians, which he retained until his death. Regiments and commissions were then considered private assets and particularly at the senior levels did not require service.