Henry Darling

Major-General Henry Charles Darling (Uppingham, 28 February 1780 – 11 February 1845) was a Major General in the British Army and colonial administrator. He followed his father to enlist in the 45th (1st Nottinghamshire) Regiment and went on to serve in the Nova Scotia Fencibles. He enjoyed the patronage of his brother Ralph Darling and became military secretary to George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie, the Governor General of British North America. He later became a superintendent with the British Indian Department and, from 1833 to 1845, was Lieutenant Governor of Tobago.

Early life Darling was the son of Christopher Darling, a sergeant and quartermaster officer in the British Army's 45th (1st Nottinghamshire) Regiment, originally from Durham. Henry Darling spent some of his childhood in the West Indies, where his father was posted from 1785. Henry Darling's brother, Ralph Darling, served as Governor of New South Wales from 1825 to 1831. Both brothers enlisted in the 45th Regiment as privates, Henry Darling joining at the age of 14. Ralph rose rapidly, enjoying the patronage of Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany and helped to obtain positions for his brother.