 He was never overtly involved in politics, but remained throughout his life a committed Unionist, holding senior office in the Co. Armagh Unionist Association, yet saddened by what he saw as the government's appeasing of terrorism.He married Rachel Torrens-Spence, with whom he had four children.One of his sons, Brigadier Edward John (Johnny) Torrens-Spence CBE, was British Embassy military attaché to the United States.