George Jackson Carey


George Jackson Carey CB was a British Army officer who achieved high office in the 1860s.

Early life

Carey was the eldest son of Thomas Carey, of Rozel, Guernsey, by his second wife, Barbara, daughter of Colonel Jackson, M.P. He was educated at Elizabeth College in Guernsey.

Military career

Carey was commissioned into the Cape Mounted Rifles in 1845 and served in the Cape Frontier Wars as few years later. Having served with distinction in the Cape Mounted Rifles, of which he became major, he was military secretary to Sir James Jackson, when commanding the forces at the Cape, and was ultimately colonel of the 18th Irish.
Carey subsequently transferred to 2nd Bn 18th Regiment of Foot and, in 1863, went to New Zealand where he commanded the troops at the Capture of Orakau, a Māori stronghold. In 1865 he signed a peace treaty with Wiremu Tamihana, the Māori leader.
He served as acting Governor and Administrator of Victoria between May and August 1866, a Brigade commander at Aldershot in 1867 and General Officer Commanding Northern District in 1871. He died the following year.

Family

In February 1861 he married Olivia Hester Thompson and together they went on to have four children.