George Airey
| Sir George Airey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1761 Killingworth, England |
| Died | 1833 (aged 72) Paris, France |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1779–1833 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Battles/wars | French Revolutionary Wars |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Royal Guelphic Order |
| Relations | General Richard Airey, 1st Baron Airey (son) |
Lieutenant General Sir George Airey KCH (1761–1833) was an English general.
Father of the better known general and staff-officer, Richard Airey, he was born in 1761. He entered the army as ensign in the 71st Regiment in 1779, and was promoted lieutenant in 1781, when he exchanged into the 48th Regiment, and went with it to the West Indies. He probably did not go to this unhealthy station from choice, but because of the better pay, and it was by keenly observing and learning the military features of the islands that he laid the foundation for his future advancement.
In 1788 he was promoted to captain, and might have remained one for a long time had not the war broken out with France in 1793. He was then thirty-two years of age, which, at a time when men became lieutenant colonels at twenty-three, meant but little chance of rising, but nevertheless by his topographical knowledge he managed to be of great assistance to Sir Charles Grey, who in 1793 reduced the French West India islands with the help of Sir John Jervis. Grey was so pleased with him that he recommended him to General Tonyn, who made him his aide-de-camp, and to Sir Ralph Abercromby. The latter, when he came out to reconquer the French West Indies which Victor Hugues had managed to regain for the republic, made him assistant adjutant-general to his force, and was very pleased by his conduct as a staff officer. It was one of Abercromby's great titles to fame that he always encouraged merit in officers and men, however unsupported by influence; and he therefore procured for George Airey a majority in the 68th in 1796 and a lieutenant colonelcy in the 8th regiment in 1798. To the same kind patron may be ascribed his selection as deputy-adjutant-general to the garrison of Minorca. This appointment prevented his accompanying the expedition to Egypt, where his patron was killed; but his activity and real merit soon won him a powerful friend in the influential General Henry Fox, the brother of the orator, and at this time governor and commander-in-chief in Minorca. The somewhat indolent general liked to have such an energetic man to save him trouble, and took him as military secretary to Ireland, when he was appointed commander-in-chief there in 1802. He there married the Hon. Catherine Talbot, daughter of Lord Talbot de Malahide.
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