Abercromby Baronets of Birkenbog
Arms:	Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Argent a Chevron Gules between three Boars' Heads erased Azure langued of the second; 2nd and 3rd grand-quarters: 1st and 4th, Argent a Lion passant guardant Gules crowned with an Imperial Crown proper; 2nd and 3rd, Argent three Popinjays Vert beaked and membered Gules
Crest:	A Falcon rising belled proper
Supporters:	On either side a Greyhound Argent collared Gules
Motto:	above the crest: Petit alta (He seeks the heights) and below the shield: Mercie is my desire

Sir George William Abercromby, 8th Baronet of Birkenbog (born March 18th, 1886 died September 9th, 1964) was a Scottish Baronet and Landowner who served as Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire between 1946 and 1964. His extensive estate was situated principally around the town of Turriff with the family seat being Forglen Housea property which had been inherited by the Abercromby family from Lord Banff. ^[1]

The Abercromby Baronets descend from Humphrey Abercromby of Pitmedden (died circa 1457) and the title of Baronet of Birkenbog in Banffshire was created in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia on 20 February 1636. ^[2]

George William Abercromby was born March 18th, 1886, the elder son of Sir Robert George Abercromby, 7th Baronet and his wife Florence Anita Eyre Coote. His father, Sir Robert, died July 24th, 1895 at which time he succeeded as the the 8th Baronet. His mother subsequently married on June 10th, 1899, Francis Baring, 2nd Earl of Northbrook. ^[3]

He served as a Lieutenant in the Scots Guards and was sometime Aide-de-camp to the General Officer Commander-in-Chief in Ireland. He subsequently served as Lieutenant-Colonel and brevet-Colonel commanding the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, Black Watch and Royal Highlanders. He saw service in the First World War and was awarded mentioned in despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1917. He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders in 1931.

He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Banffshire in 1928 and subsequently became Vice Lieutenant. He was an elected County Councillor for many years and also Convener of Banff County Council. In 1946, he succeeded James Archibald as Lord Lieutenant and held this post a few months before his death.

Sir George married on January 17th, 1935, Eleanor, only daughter of Sir Arthur Robert Anderson. They had no children and when Sir George died, on September 9th, 1964, he was succeeded by his younger brother, Robert Alexander Abercromby who became the 9th Baronet. ^[4] Colonel Thomas Robert (Robin) Gordon-Duff of Drummuir succeeded him as Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire.

[edit] References

Baronetage of Nova Scotia
Preceded by Sir Robert George Abercromby, 7th Baronet	Abercromby Baronets 1895–1964	Succeeded by Sir Robert Alexander Abercromby, 9th Baronet
Honorary titles
Preceded by James Archibald	Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire 1946–1964	Succeeded by Colonel Thomas Robert (Robin) Gordon-Duff