Robert Hamilton Grant IRVINE (1841-1912)

Robert Hamilton Grant Irvine is believed to have been the first fiancé of Eugénie Sladden (née Mourilyan).

Robert Irvine was born on 22nd March 1841 in Gwalior, Bengal, India, the eldest of five children of Robert Hamilton Irvine, a senior surgeon in the Bengal Army, and his wife, Anne (née Grant).  He was baptized on 27th October 1841 at Gwalior.

Robert served with the Bengal Police Department from 1861-1891.  He joined the service as Deputy Manager in August 1861.  He was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Police in April 1863 and District Superintendent in July 1869.

Robert’s father died in 1863.  His mother, Anne, then went to live in Paris with her daughters, where it is thought that Amy met Thomas Burton Mourilyan whom she married and Robert met Thomas’ youngest sister, Eugénie, to whom he became engaged for a short time.

Robert retired in September 1891.  He then joined the Indian Civil Service.  On 2nd April 1891 he had married Fanny Gibbs at St Thomas’ Church, Portman Square, London; they had no children.  At the time of the 1891 census, just three days after their marriage, they were living at 87 Sandgate Road, Folkestone.

The couple retired to England and settled in Folkestone at 7 Trimworth Road.  Robert Irvine died at Trimworth Road on 26th August 1912.  Probate was granted to Henry Dalgarno Robinson who was the son of Mary Anna Robinson (née Mourilyan) who was the sister-in-law of his deceased sister, Amy.