George Gordon (buried 1912)

At a glance

At a glance
George Grant Gordon
Surname: 
Gordon
First name: 
George
Other Christian names: 
Grant
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Yes
Burial number: 
656
Born: 
29/1/1836
Died: 
24/01/1912
Buried: 
27/01/1912
Occupation: 
Equerry and Controller; Colonel; J.P.; Lieutenant Colonel; Honourable Colonel;
Distinction: 
Military Hero
Heene Hallmark: 
Yes
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
NES
Cemetery row: 
1
Cemetery plot: 
17
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/entry.dive.slower
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Headstone inscription: 
George Grant Gordon served throughout the Crimean campaign and for 25 years with the Scots Fusilier Guards. Hon. Colonel of 3rd Battn. Royal Scots born January 29th 1836 died January 24th 1912 "God be merciful to me a sinner" and Constance his wife born February 21st 1841 died April 14th 1921 "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"

Life story

Life story

Heene Hallmark

George Grant Gordon 1836 - 1912

Military Hero

George Grant Gordon, was born in Belgravia, first child of Lord Francis Arthur Gordon, also a Lieutenant-Colonel, and Isabella Keir Gordon, nee Grant. Lord Francis was one of the 9th Marquis of Huntley's 10 children. They lived at 5 Wilton Crescent Hanover Square London. 

On 28th April 1844 Queen Victoria appointed George to be her 1st page of Honour replacing Charles Wemyss. This position required attendance at state occasions, it is a distinction granted to teenage sons of members of the nobility and gentry. He held this position until 1852. It is also reported in some newspaper articles of the time that he was a page boy at Queen Victoria's wedding, however he would have only been about four years old, so not sure if this is accurate. 

George attended Sandhurst, where, in 1851, he was described as a 'Gentleman Cadet'. When he passed out of Sandhurst he became an Ensign and obtained his commission as Ensign and Lieutenant in the Scot's Fusiliers Guards on 13th February 1852. 

He was a Captain in the Crimean War 1854 to 1855 and was awarded the Crimean Medal. He was severely wounded there when he served with the 1st battalion Scot's Fusilier Guards at the battle of Alma, Balaclava, and Inkerman, and at the siege and fall of Sebastopol; while from August 1855 to November 1856 he acted as A.D.C. to Gen. Sir James Simpson, commanding the forces in the Crimea. George obtained the medal with four clasps, 5th class of the Medijidie, and Turkish medal with clasp. He was promoted to Lieutenant and Captain on Dec 26th 1854, and to Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel on Feb 23rd 1863. Following his retirement from active service in 1863 he became lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Reserve Regiment. He then became Lieutenant-Colonel and Honourable Colonel in command of the 3rd Battalion (Militia), Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). 

In 1861 he was living in the Portland St Barracks of the 1st Battalion, Scots Fusilier Guards, a Captain and Adjutant. 

His future wife, Constance Augusta Lennox Peel, was then living in Feltham House, Middlesex, a guest in the house of her sister-in-law, the Hon. Mrs Charles Peel. It was a very large household, there were 3 daughters and 3 sons, plus the Hon and Mrs Algernon Chichester, a Governess and 10 other Servants. 

In 1863 George married Constance, daughter of Lieutenant-General Laurence Peel and Lady Jane Lennox, at St George, Hanover Square. They went on to have 2 sons and one daughter. Elder son, Laurence George Frank, fought in the Boer War and rose to the rank of Brigadier-General. 

George retired from active service in 1863 and married Constance Augusta Lennox Peel on 8th August 1863 at the district church of St. Paul's Knightsbridge. Constance, born in Brighton, was a member of the Household of HRH Princess Constance.  The household consisted of George, Constance, their 3 children and eight Servants. 

Lieutenant-Colonel George Grant Gordon appointed Equerry to His Royal Highness
Lieutenant-Colonel George Grant Gordon appointed Equerry to His Royal Highness

In 1871 the family was living at Frogmore Cottage, New Windsor. George was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Scots Fusiliers and a Royal Equerry. He was Equerry and Controller of the Household to HH Prince and HRH Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein from 1866 - 1896. 

By 1881, now living at Royal Lodge, Windsor Great Park, Lieutenant Colonel Gordon, was a member of the Scots Guards and a Royal Equerry, with four Domestic Servants. Constance, with their daughter Helena, was staying with her father in Brighton at the time of the Census. 

By 1891, still at the Royal Lodge, George had sons Laurence and Christian with him, plus a Cook, 2 Housemaids, a Kitchen Maid, Butler and Footman. He held the office of Justice of The Peace for the County of London (JP) and was given the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1891 

George was awarded the Jubilee, Coronation and Indian medals for the Indian Campaign (1897 to1902), where he was a Major in the North Bengal Mounted Rifles. (1898 London Gazette. 

London Gazette, 14th March 1898
London Gazette, 14th March 1898

In 1901, Constance was a Visitor in Queens Gate, London, the Household of Blanche Smith.  

George Grant Gordon 9th August 1908
George Grant Gordon 9th August 1908

In 1910, Colonel and Mrs Grant Gordon, of Inkerman, Shelley Road, were respectively equerry and lady-in-waiting to the Royal Household. 

(Inkerman was a famous British victory over the Russians.) 

1911 saw George and Constance, with 4 Servants, living at Inkerman. He was described as a Retired Army Colonel and JP. He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for the County of London. 

He gained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the service of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scottish Reserve Regiment. He was invested as a Companion, Order of the Bath (C.B.). He was invested as a Commander, Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.). He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Berkshire 

When Constance died she was living in Sandhurst, in Shakespeare Road. Probate was given to her daughter Helena Jane Stone, widow of the Rev William Henry Stone.

Burial researcher: 
Liz Lane

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
29/01/1836
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Constance Augusta Lennox
Spouse one last name: 
Peel
Marriage one date: 
08/08/1863
Marriage one address: 
Westminster, London, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
24/01/1912
Age (at time of death): 
75
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Obituary

Brighton Gazette 31st January 1912 - Distinguished Soldier's Funeral

The remains were laid to rest at Heene, Worthing, on Saturday of a distinguished soldier and Crimean War veteran, Col. G. Grant Gordon. The deceased was for many years Equerry to Prince and Princess Christian, and had had a notable career, having served with the Scots Guards through the Crimean Campaign. The coffin was carried into Holy Trinity Church for the first portion of the service, the deceased having been a sidesman there. The Vicar (the Rev. C.J. Hollis) officiated, and was assisted by the curates, the Revs. G.W. Boothroyd and W. Fenn. On the coffin was a large cross of lilies from the widow and children, and beneath it were two royal wreaths from the Prince and Princess Christian, Princess Victoria, Prince Albert and Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein/ These were respectively inscribed: "In affectionate and grateful remembrance, from Christian and Helena" and "A mark of affection from Victoria, Albert and Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein". The inscription on the coffin read: "George Grant Gordon, Colonel Scots Guards and 3rd Battalion Royal Scots, born January 29th 1836: died January 24th, 1912" The family mourners were Mrs Gordon (widow), Mr C.F. Gordon (son), Mrs Stone (daughter) and Prebendary Stone, Mr Francis Gordon (brother), and Mrs Gordon, Miss Gordon (sister), Mr Gordon Duncan (nephew), Mr Horace Peel, and Mr E. Peel.

Representatives of Royalty - Hi Majesty the King was represented at the service by Colonel Henry Fludyer, C.V.O., and Major J. Evan Martin, M.V.O., attended to represent Prince and Princess Christian. Among others present were Sir David Erskine (Sergeant-at-Arms, House of Commons), Colonel Cuthbert (Scots Guards), Captain Sawyer and Captain Carrington Smythe (late of the Royal Scots), Mrs Seymour Cochrane, Mrs Turner, and Miss Turner. Lord William Seymour was unavoidably prevented from attending, and on behalf of the Royal Scots, Colonel Lord Henry Scott sent the following telegram: "All ranks 3rd Battalion Royal Scotts deeply regret loss of their beloved Honorary Colonel".

The following local people were also noticed in the congregation:- The Mayor (Alderman E.C. Patching, J.P.), Admiral Leicester Keppel, Admiral Fleet, Colonel Kilgour, Captain Puckle, the Rev. W.B. Ferris, the Rev. J.P. Boswell, the Rev. C. Ough, Miss L. Hunt (Hon. Secretary of the Worthing Auxiliary of the R.S.P.C.A., of which Society the deceased was a Vice-President), Mr F. Stevens, L.S.O., Mr F.J. Timms and Mr H.R.P. Wyatt, J.P. (of the Management Committee, Worthing Hospital, of which the deceased was a member). Dr. F Hinds and Dr. W.A. Gostling (Medical Officers, Worthing Hospital), Councillor G Baker, Councillor W.G. Trew, Messrs. A. Fleet, O. Baumann, Latham Brown, G.B. Collet, H.N. Collet, H. Hargood, J.P., H.F. Hall, A. Lambton, J. Nisbet, F.B.Tilt, W.F. Verrall.

The interment at Heene Cemetery was witnessed by a large assembly. Mr H. Hargood, J.P., lent his carriage, and it was used by the representatives of King George and Prince Christian. The grave was lined with ivy. Many beautiful floral tributes were sent, one from the Scots Guards being of immense size.

Army & Navy Gazette - February 3rd 1912

Col. George Grant Gordon, C.B., C.V.G., C.L.E., Honorary Colonel of the 3rd (Special Reserve) Batn. Royal Scots, formerly of the Scots Fusilier Guards, died on the 24th ult, at Inkerman, Shelley Road, Worthing, aged 75.

Col Gordon, who was the eldest son of the late Lord Francis Gordon, 1st Life Guards, and a grandson of the ninth Marquess of Huntly, passed out of Sandhurst and obtained his commission as Ensign and Lieutenant in the Scots Fusilier Guards Feb 13, 1852. During the Crimean War, 1854-55, he served with the 1st Batn. of his regiment a the battles of Alma, Balaclava, and Inkerman, and at the siege and fall of Sebastapol; while from August, 1855, to the following November he acted as A.D.C. to Gen. Sir James Simpson, commanding the forces in the Crimea (medal with four clasps, 5th Class of the Medjidie, and Turkish medal with clasp).

He was promoted to Lieutenant and Captain Dec. 26, 1854, to Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel Feb 23, 1863, and retired on half-pay June 30, 1877. On May 10, 1881, he was appointed to a Majority in the Edinburgh Light Infantry Militia - afterwards the 3rd (Militia) Batn. Royal Scots - and was promoted to the command Feb. 2, 1889, being given the honorary rank of Colonel shortly afterwards. He was vacated the command Dec. 6, 1898, and in March 1900 was appointed to the Hon. Colonelcy, continuing at its head on its becoming a Special Reserve battalion. From May 1900, to March of the following year, he commanded the 2nd Batn. Royal Scottish Reserve Regiment at Edinburgh. Col. Gordon was o ne of the pages at the wedding of Queen Victoria. He was Equerry and Comptorller to Prince and Princess Christian from 1866 to 1896, since when he had been an Extra Equerry. He was given the C.B. in 1891, the C.V.O. in 1897, and the C.I.E. in 1911, and he possessed the Jubilee medal and clasp and the King Edward Coronation medal. He married in 1863 Constance, the only daughter of the late Mr L. Peel, by whom he had a son, Lieut.-Col. L.G.F. Gordon, D.S.O., R.F.A.

The funeral took place on Saturday at Worthing, where a service was held at Holy Trinity Church, The King was represented by Col. H. Fludyer, while Major J.E. Martin represented Prince and Princess Christian. There was also present Mrs Gordon (the widow), Mr C.F. Gordon, Mrs Stone (daughter), Mr Francis Gordon (brother) and Mrs Gordon, Miss Gordon, Mr F. Gordon, Mr G. Duncan, Sir H.D. Erskine, Sarjeant-at-Arms in the House of Commons, and Col. Cuthbert representing the Scots Guards. A message received from Dalkeith read: "All ranks 3rd Batn. Royal Scots deeply regret the loss of their beloved honorary colonel".

Personal effects
Probate pounds: 
£689

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1851 census: 

George is a Gentleman Cadet at Sandhurst Royal Military College

1871 census: 

In 1871 he was living at Frogmore Cottage, Windsor. (home of Harry and Meghan).  They had 8 servants, including 2 Ladys maids, a servant nurse, 2 housemaids, a cook and 2 footmen.

1881 census: 

In 1881 Constance and her Daughter, Helena are staying with her Father, Lawrence Peel at 32 Sussex Square Brighton. George is staying at Windsor Great Park, Royal Lodge London.