Alexander Herman Adam GORDON [1836-1893] | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Alexander Herman Adam GORDON [1836-1893]

Names
Given: 
Alexander Herman Adam
Family: 
Gordon
Sex: 
Male
Status: 
Deceased
Birth
Date: 
1836-09-18
Death
Date: 
1893-02-16

I'm looking for photos of Alexander Herman Adam Gordon, to be used in the Central Police Station project. If you know of any, please could you let me know in the comments below?

He's of interest because he was the Superintendent of Victoria Gaol from 1885 [1], and Captain Superintendent of Police from November 1892 [2]. He didn't spend long in the second role though - he went on sick leave in February 1893, and died that month. 

There's no record of him serving in Legco.

I didn't find any photos in the online collections of HKPRO, HKPL, or the Museum of History.

I haven't found any family tree records.

Dates of birth & death taken from The House of Gordon, which has this brief summary of his military career and life:

230- Alexander Hermann Adam. 1856, Feb. i, Ens., Brit. German Legion. 1857, Jan. 17, Adj. 1858, May 15, Lt. 1856, Nov. n 1858, Oct. 14, served at Cape of Good Hope; Oct. 15 1860, Mar. 4, E. Indies; Sep. 21, Ens., 78th Ft. 1861, Jun. 18, exchanged to g8th Ft. 1862, Jan. 21867, Apr. 25, E. Indies. 1864, Aug. 5, Lt. 1868, May 20 1873, Dec. 9, Adj. 1873, Jan. 28 Jun. n, W. Indies; served throughout Ashanti war; Jul. 6, landed on the Gold Coast ; made Comdt. of Houssas, and Adj. of Armed Police; organized scouting parties, patrols, and reconnaissances to discover the positions of the enemy ; made the first rough map of the neighbourhood;  selected the positions and constructed the important redoubts of Napoleon and Abbaye, covering Cape Coast and Elmina respectively ; began the Cape Coast-Coomassie Road, and had made it practicable for artillery as far as Dunquah before Wolseley's arrival ; the Off. Comdg. R.E. reported when Maj.  Home, R.E., took over the task, " I have now seen the road from Cape Coast to Yancomassie Fantee ; with the exception of 3^ miles between Yamoranza and Assayboo, it is all fairly passable for infantry in fours. I think Gordon deserves great credit for what he has done." Placed on list of special Service Offs., and commanded the guard of working party at head of road till the middle of Oct., when placed in command of Houssas ; Nov. 5-6, commanded them at repulse of Ashanti army at Abrakrampa, and Nov. 8, at reconnaissance in force ; commanded Houssa Coy., Russell's Reg., at capture and destruction of Adubiassie, battle of Amodful, capture and destruction of Becquah, advanced guard engagement ef Jarbinbah (slightly wounded), skirmishes and ambuscade affairs between Adwabin and the river Ordah, battle of Ordahsu, and capture of Coomassie; Dec. 10, promoted Capt., 84th Ft., " in recognition of his valuable services with Houssas and other forces under his orders, whilst operating against Ashantis " ; several times mentioned in despatches (Medal with clasp). Maj. Gen. Whitworth Porter (R.E., n. pp. 11-12), says that "Gordon had proved himself a most valuable man ; he seemed to have an influence over the native workmen very difficult to obtain, and he showed great skill and tact in the selection of those he engaged. The consequence was, that whilst desertions were rife in all the other parties, those which had worked under Gordon proved steady and trustworthy." 1874, Apr. i, Bt. Maj. ; May 13, Capt., 65th Ft. 1875, Aug. 13 Oct. i, Brig. Maj., Bengal. 1876, Apr. 15 Nov. i, Chief Insp. of Musketry, Bengal. 1878, Nov. 12 1879, Jun. 20, Brig. Maj., Afghan Campaign ; mentioned in despatches (Medal) ; Nov. 22, Bt. Lt. Col. (under Roy. Warrant 1878, May i). 1879, Nov. 17 1884, Nov. 16, Comdt. Mil. Police, Cyprus. 1881, Jan. i, h.p. ; Jul. i, Maj., h.p., York and Lancaster Reg. (Roy. Warrant, Jun. 25). 1883, Nov. 22, Bt. Col. 1884, Dec. 10, Maj., York and Lancaster Reg., and Batn. 1885, Mar. 25, ret. on ret. p., with hon. rank of Maj. Gen. (Hart's A. L., 1861-94; Maj. G. A. Raikes' Roll of Offs., York and Lancaster Reg., 2nd Batn.). 

Son of Alexander, Sheriff Substitute of Dornoch, who was a grand-nephew of Alexander, of Cairnfield (Bulloch's Gordons of Cairnfield) ; b. Sep. 1836, Sep. 18, at Heidelberg; Student Marischal College, 1848-50 and '51-2; m. 1874, Sep. 24, at Hanwell, Katherine Sophia Escandon (b. 1849), dau. of Capt. John H. Buchan, R.N., The Grove, Hanwell (James Lewis Gordon being a witness), and had Duncan Robert Wolseley, 419, Harry Francis Adam, 620, Katherine Eva Isabel, b. 1875, Sep. 29, bap. Oct. 26, at Lucknow (actress, under the name of " Kirsteen Graeme ") ; Alexander John Douglas, b. 1878, May 31, bap. Jul. 17, d. 1883, Jun. 3, at Nicosia, Cyprus; Alexandra Viola, b. 1884, Sep. 20, at Hanwell; m. 1911, Jul. 25, at St. Peter's, Cranley Gardens, London, Francis Rowsell Cunningham ; and Mary Carmichael, b. 1887, Apr. 8, at Hanwell. Gordon d. 1893, Feb. 16, on board the "Aden," homeward bound, being then Capt. Supt. of Police, Hong Kong ; bur. with military honours at Singapore (Times, Feb. 27 ; W.O., Offs. Mrges., P.R.O. ; I.O. Rec.). Mrs. Gordon d. 1906, Jun. 3, at Elgin (Times). 

The original document can be viewed online at http://www.electricscotland.com/WEBCLANS/dtog/gordon_under_arms.pdf

References:

  1. Appointment to Superintendent of Victoria Gaol: http://hkgro.lib.hku.hk/archive/files/02098beb893c7d0ae3a632306f859b80.pdf
  2. Appointment to Captain Superintendent of Police: http://hkgro.lib.hku.hk/archive/files/9ad1deb25ee41ab4a4e4c269d0f781a0.pdf

Photos that show this person

Comments

Courtesy of Michael Treays:

To Major-General Alexander Herman Adam Gordon, Captain Superintendent of the Hongkong Police.

We, the undersigned members of the Hongkong Police Force desire to express our great regret at your having to leave us for a time through sickness, and to express our feeling of esteem at the firm, just, and successful manner in which you have carried out the high and responsible duties attached to your position of Captain Superintendent of Police.

Although this force is composed of men of various nationalities, the whole have worked harmoniously under your able administration.

We are all grateful for the lively interest you have taken in our welfare and feel indebted to you for introducing various games of recreation amongst us. and for furnishing our Library with useful books.

Yours has been an honourable and successful career, you have distinguished yourself as a skilful organizer and commander of men in all parts of the globe, and have so distinguished yourself as Chief of this force that we feel that whatever eulogy may be passed on it in your absence will in a great measure redound to your credit.

We cannot conclude without expressing our regret at losing Mrs. Gordon who, by her genial manner and universal kindness, has won the hearts of all who know her. Our wives and children especially have to regret her departure; for in her they have always found a kind friend and Christian sympathiser.

In conclusion, we wish you a pleasant voyage and hope that a short stay in Europe will be the means of re-establishing you in your usual robust health.

Do have a photograph of Alexander Gordon which has been passed down the family line of John Hitchcock Buchan. Its authenticity can not be ascertained but he is in uniform and there is no reason to suggest otherwise.

Hello John, yes please, it will be good to see the photo. If you can upload it to the site (here's how: http://gwulo.com/node/2076) I'll add it in here.

Regards, David

Hi David

I think I've followed instructions and sent photo jpg to the site Administrator under 

"Buchan English Photo's 1800's."  I trust you can post the same. 

I have published alot of material on the Buchan Family  using Blurb Publishing in a book titled

"Colonial Adventurers: Buchan and Oldfield" Fifth Edition. John Jensen. The book is available on the Blurb Publishing Bookstore Website  .http://www.blurb.com/bookstore

If I can further assist - dentaljohn66@gmail.com

Regards John

Thanks John, here's the photo you've uploaded of Mr Gordon and his formidable beard! Are your families related?

Regards, David

Buchan English photos 1800's several small.jpg
Buchan English photos 1800's several small.jpg, by john j

 

Katherine Gordon (nee Buchan) daughter of John H Buchan.

Sophia Buchan sister of John H Buchan married Capt Anthony Oldfield.

Thomas Oldfield (emigrated to New Zealand) son of Captain Anthony Oldfield and Sophia 

Thomas Oldfield married Elizabeth Lethbridge

Kate Buchan Oldfield daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Oldfield

Christian Jensen married Kate Buchan Oldfield

Thomas Jensen son of Christian and Kate Jensen

Regards John

Thomas Jensen married Barbara Wallace

John Jensen son of Thomas and Barbara Jensen

 

Thanks John, I'd missed the mention of the Buchan family name in the account above:

m. 1874, Sep. 24, at Hanwell, Katherine Sophia Escandon (b. 1849), dau. of Capt. John H. Buchan, R.N., The Grove, Hanwell (James Lewis Gordon being a witness)

All clear now,

Regards, David