Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Gordon, Henry William
GORDON, Sir HENRY WILLIAM (1818–1887), commissary-general, born 18 July 1818, was eldest son of Lieutenant-general Henry William Gordon and Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Enderby of Croom's Hill, Blackheath, and brother of Charles George Gordon [q. v.] He was educated at Sandhurst, and entered the army in August 1835, serving in the 59th foot. He was employed on the staff in the East and West Indies and China. In 1847-8 he was an assistant poor-law commissioner in Ireland, and was a relief inspector during the famine. In 1855 he left the army and entered the ordnance department. From March 1855 to July 1856 he was in the Crimea, which was his last service abroad. He obtained the Crimean and Turkish medals, was appointed C.B. (civil) in 1857, and K.C.B. in 1877. In January 1870 he was made controller, and in November 1875 commissary general. He died at Oat Hall, Hayward's Heath, 22 Oct. 1887. Gordon was on very intimate terms with his famous brother, whom he resembled in his simplicity of life and integrity of character. He married, in 1851, Henrietta Rose, widow of Captain Granet, and daughter of Lieutenant-general W. Staveley, C.B. By her he had a numerous family. One of his sons was drowned on board the Captain, 7 Sept. 1870. Gordon is commemorated on the monument which he erected to his brother's memory in St. Paul's Cathedral. He wrote 'Events in the Life of Charles George Gordon' 1886.
[Times, 24 and 25 Oct. 1887; Graphic, 26 Nov. 1887 (with portrait); Illustrated London News, 29 Oct. 1887.]