Henry Gidney

Lieutenant Colonel Sir Henry Albert John Gidney (9 June 1873 – 5 May 1942) was a leader of the Anglo-Indian community of British India for 20 years, founding the All India Anglo-Indian Association in 1926.

His grandfather, William Gidney, was killed at the Siege of Lucknow in 1857 but his family decided to stay in India.

Life He was born in Igatpuri in India on 9 June 1873 the son of John Gidney, an Irish engine driver for the GIPR, and his Indian wife Margaret David. He was raised a Methodist.

He received his education first at Baldwins Boys School in Bangalore, then at St Peters High School in Mazagaon,

In 1941 was elected president of the All India Arts and Crafts Society.

He died in India on 5 May 1942.

Recognition

The Gidney House of The Frank Anthony Public School, Delhi and Bangalore is named after him.

Family

He married Grace Gidney.

Additional achievements

Civilian surgeon in Eastern Bengal and Assam. President of the Bombay branch of the Anglo-Indian Empire League (1918) (founded by Charles Palmer in 1908) Vice-president of the Central Council of the Empire League (1919) Member of the Legislative Assembly of India (1921) He formed an association called the "Anglo-Indian and Domiciled European Association". In 1937 the association split into two factions representing India and Burma, thereafter representing both Anglo-Indians and Anglo-Burmese. The Burma section became the "Anglo-Burman Union".