"Anglo-Indians have played a notable part, out of all proportions to their numbers, in the country's progress." Indira Gandhi

Lt. Col. Sir Henry Albert John Gidney was born on June 09, 1873, with this being the 135th anniversary of his birth it seems fitting to celebrate the life of a man, who was probably the most prominent and dynamic leader of the Anglo-Indian Community. Sir Henry was born in Igatpuri, Maharashtra, and was educated in a variety of cities across India including Bangalore and Calcutta. As a qualified physician and noted eye surgeon, he joined the army and saw active service in China during the Boxer Rebellion. In 1904 he married a widow by the name of Grace Mitchel-Howe, but the marriage was not to last, his bride returned to England, where he continued to support her and he was left to invariably enjoy a bachelors lifestyle amongst the elite of Delhi's society. Following a posting to Kohima where he joined a mission against the headhunters, he proceeded to help his unit put a stop to a Naga raid. During the First World War, Sir Henry was posted to Peshawar and again, saw active service this time in the North West Frontier Province. It was there that he was wounded during the attack on Shabkadar Fort and was credited with daring gallantry, his injuries subsequently led to a forced retirement from the IMS. He went on to set up a private practice in Bombay and continued to devote his free time to the welfare of the Anglo-Indian Community. Sir Henry was very concious of the lack of equal opportunities for Anglo-Indians under British Rule and vehemently represented the Anglo-Indian Community at all the three Round Table Conferences in England, where he testified before the Simon Commission and the Cripps India Mission, and upon meeting King George V, spoke of the sad lot of the Anglo-Indians. He also inadvertently declared that the Anglo-Indians were "my people" before quickly correcting himself by addressing them as "Your Majesty's people and my community." A faux par, that purportedly brought a smile to the face of King George V.

Sir Henry Gidney was knighted in 1931, and upon the formation of the Central Legislative Assembly he was nominated by the Viceroy Lord Irwin. He served his people with passion and integrity right up until his death on May 05, 1942, and who knows if this charismatic character had lived through Indian Independence the Anglo-Indian story may well have had a very different ending, for he strongly believed that his small and valiant community was “ ...first and last, sons of India...”

As a descendant of the Gidney ancestral line and namesake of his niece and my grandmother Dorothy Gidney I would like to voice my public support for CTR a registered charity that promotes the spirit of compassion and unity amongst the global Anglo-Indian Community, but more importantly offers financial help on a regular basis to the elderly through a pension scheme and to the young in the form of educational grants... so please click on the link below to find out more about how you can make a difference and help those who are not in a position to help themselves.