A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Giffard, George
GIFFARD. (Captain, 1845.)
George Giffard, born in 1815, is third son of the late Sir Ambrose Hardinge Giffard, Kt., Chief Justice of Ceylon, by Harriet, daughter of Lovell Pennell, Esq., of Lyme Regis; nephew of Lieut. Wm. Giffard, of the 82nd Regt., who was murdered by the rebels in Ireland in May, 1798; and brother-in-law of the late Sir Wm. Webb Follett, Her Majesty’s Attorney-General.
This officer entered the Navy, 27 June, 1827; passed his examination in 1834; and obtained his first commission 30 Oct. 1835. His appointments, as Lieutenant, were – 1 Nov. 1835, and 14 Feb. 1&38, to the Cruizer 16, and Medea steamer, Capts. Wm. Alex. Willis and John Neale Nott, on the North America and West India station – and, 27 Nov. 1839, to the Cyclops steamer, Capt. Horatio Thos. Austin. In the following year he bore a very active part in the operations on the coast of Syria, and particularly distinguished himself by the able assistance he afforded his Captain in an attack on the strong tower of Gebail, 12 Sept. 1840, on which occasion he formed one of a party that very gallantly landed and advanced to the walls, although ultimately compelled to retire with loss.[1] For his services throughout the campaign he was awarded a Commander’s commission, dated 4 Nov. 1840. His next appointment, we find, was, 5 Jan. 1843, to the Vixen steam-sloop, attached to the force in the East Indies, during his continuation on which station he destroyed a nest of pirates, of his own accord; and, on 19 Aug. 1845, bore the flag of Sir Thos. John Cochrane, the Commander-in-Chief, pending an attack made by the boats of his squadron upon a formidable settlement at Malloodoo, on the north end of the island of Borneo, where he was subsequently employed in accomplishing the ruin of the remaining pirates.[2] He was promoted, in consequence of those performances, to the rank of Captain, 26 Dec. 1845, and he is now on half-pay. Agents – Hallett and Robinson.