Lieutenant Colonel George Washington Gibson,
Bombay Artillery


by Fred Larimore.
comments to fbl@dca.net
Copyright © 1995-1997

Lieutenant Colonel George Washington Gibson, shows the following dates of rank, campaign service, and army appointments related to his service in the British Army:[1]

  • Born, 12 February 1795.
  • Attended Addiscombe 1810-1811.
  • Ensign, 10 July 1812.
  • Lieutenant, 20 September 1816.
  • Mahratta War 1817-18, Served with the Bombay Artillery, at the Capture of Poona, 16 November 1817.
  • Captain, 1 September 1818.
  • Served with the Ordnace Department, 1825-1836.
  • Brevet Major, 10 January 1837.
  • Served in the Upper Scinde 1838-39.
  • Married (1st or 2nd wifes name unknown), 4 June 1838.
  • Officer Commanding, Artillery, Northern Division, 1840.
  • Officer Commanding, Artillery, Poona Division and 1st Battalion, 1843.
  • Retired, 7 January 1844.
  • Lieutenant Colonel, 28 November 1854.
  • Died, 10 March 1872 in Kensington.

    Probably from the marriage of 4 June 1838 (there is some uncertainity), two children were born to George Washington Gibson and Charlotte Elizabeth, a daughter, Charlotte Elizabeth, in 1823 in Holybourne, Hampshire, and a son George Rawstorne in 1824, in the same place.

    Mary Hannah Barnes was married to George Washington Gibson, in London on 15 December 1852 with her father, James, present. Her parents had only recently returned from South Africa. Mary Hannah was 29 years old, while her husband was some 28 years her senior. The marriage was childless and the thought occurs that this marriage to a much older man was one of practical convenience; without it, Mary Hannah would have been left quite alone. Both her parents were seriously ill and dead within a matter of months after her marriage. At the time of her marriage her three brothers were fighting in the 3rd Kaffir War in South Africa.

    When George W. Gibson died in Kensington in 1872, the body was taken to Portishead, Somerset County, and buried in St. Peter's churchyard next to James and Hannah Barnes, his wife's parents. Mary Hannah was later buried there as well. The monument inscription reads:

    In / Memorium / George Washington Gibson / Lieut Colonel Retired List, / Late Bombay Horse Artillery / Who died in London, March 10th 1872 / Aged 77 years.

    Also in loving memory of / Mary Hannah Gibson / only daughter of the / late Major Barnes / And relict of the late / Lieut Colonel G. W. Gibson / Born at Presteigne / Radnorshire / March 20th 1823 / Died at Portishead / April 25th 1894 / Aged 71 / This tablet is erected / by her eldest, and / only surviving / Brother. (that is Maj. Gen. James Whittaker Barnes )

    [1]Biographical details from Spring, F.W.M., The Bombay Artillery, List of Officers who have served in The Regiment of Bombay Artillery, London : William Clowes, 1902, p.82 and supplemented with information from Kay von Schmidt and Fred Larimore.
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