Henry Gidney

Sir Henry Albert John Gidney (9 July 1873 – 1942 in Igatpuri, Maharashtra, India) was a leader of the Anglo-Indian community of the British Raj for 20 years. He received his education in Bangalore, Kolkata, and Allahabad. At 16, he joined the Calcutta Medical College at the University of Calcutta, graduating as a first class gold medal winner. At 36 years old, he was already an FRCS, DPH, MRCP, D.O., a research scholar and a lecturer in ophthalmology at Oxford, and a Fellow of the Royal Society. He joined the British Indian Army, saw action in China during the Boxer rebellion, and was recognized for his bravery in 1901.

By the time the First World War broke out, he had risen to the level of lieutenant colonel. After his retirement from the Army, he set up his own private eye hospital in Bombay.

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

Achievements

1. He spent 6 months in London where he took his competitive examinations for IMS (30 July 1897) and on 28 January 1898 he became a Lieutenant IMS.
2. After being a Lieutenant for 3 years he then became a captain IMS on (28 January 1901)
3. He was Civil Surgeon in Eastern Bengal and Assam.
4. He was a major (29 January 1909)
5. He Became a Civil Surgeon of Kohima Naga Hills (1911)
6. Elected President of the Bombay branch of the Anglo-Indian Empire League (1918) (founded by Charles Palmer in 1908)
7. He was elected again - Vice-President of the Central Council of the Empire League. 1919
8. In September 1921 - he became a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
9. He formed an Association called the "Anglo-Indian and Domiciled European Association", which in 1937 was separated into India and Burma and represented both Anglo-Indians and Anglo-Burmese. The Burma section became the "Anglo-Burman Union" following separation.
10. He was Knighted Sir Henry Gidney in 1931.
11. He was elected President of the All India Arts and crafts Society only for one year because of his death.

External links

• Sir Gidney
• Anglo-Indians in the Indian Air Force