AIREY, HENRY PARKE, Captain, was
born at Kingthorpe Hall, Yorkshire, 3 August 1844, 2nd son of Captain H C
Airey. He was educated at Marlborough, and at the Royal Military College,
Addiscombe; was gazetted to the 101st RM Fusiliers as Ensign in 1859; served
in India six years, on the North-Western Frontier, and retired in 1866; also
in the same year went to Australia, joining the New South Wales Artillery in
1878. He served as Lieutenant with the New South Wales Contingent in Egypt,
1885; ADC to General Fremantle at advance and capture of Tamai (Egyptian
Medal; clasp, and Khedive's Star), 1885. Captain Airey volunteered for
service in Burma, 1886-7, attached to Sir G White's Staff; commanded Gardner
Gun Battery at attack on Hwai-Hwaing; was severely wounded, losing an arm,
and was mentioned in Despatches, and thanked by the Governor-General of
India. He received the Brevet of Major for distinguished services; was made
Honorary ADC to the Governor of New South Wales, received the Burma Medal
and clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order
[London Gazette, 3 January 1888]: "Henry Parke Airey, Captain, New South
Wales Artillery". The DSO was awarded for distinguished service, coolness
under fire, and marked gallantry (His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief,
Burma, letter to the Viceroy of India). He was created a CMG in 1900, and
became Lieutenant Colonel, commanding the Brigade, Divisional Field
Artillery, New South Wales. He served in South Africa in 1900, and was
mentioned in Despatches. He was promoted to Colonel. He married Florence
Ada, youngest daughter of A H M'Culloch, of Sydney, New South Wales.
Colonel Airey died on the 12th October 1911, at Panplaats, Transvaal, and an
obituary notice of him appeared in the 'The Times' His favourite recreations
were cricket (1st Eleven, Marlborough College; Captain, Addiscombe College
Eleven, and Regimental, 1885-6; Captain, New South Wales Artillery Eleven);
hunting and driving; Master of Sydney Hunt Club.
