George John Taylor Airey

THE PERMANENT MILITARY FORCES OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

The Parliament last session voted a sum of money for the colony, and arrangements have been made for the enlistment of the required number of men. Yesterday's Government Gazette contains the following proclamation, and notification of the appointment of officers to the force -

" Proclamation by his Excellency the Right Honorable Somerset Richard, Earl of Belmore, a member of her Majesty's most honorable Privy Council in Irelaad, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the colony of New South "Wales and Vice-Admiral of the same -
Whereas by the ' Military and Naval Forces Regulation Act ' it is enacted that it shall be lawful for the Governor, in the name and on behalf of her Majesty, to engage the services of, and maintain embodied upon the forms and conditions therein prescribed, such a number of men to serve in the Military and Naval Forces of New South Wales as the Parliament thereof shall from time to time authorize, and provide for: And whereas the Parliament has authorized and provided for the raising and maintenance of a Permanent Military Force, consisting of one Battery of Artillery and two Companies of infantry under the said Act: And whereas it has been determined to raise and embody such Force: Now I, the said Somerset Richard, Earl of Belmore, the Governor aforesaid, do hereby by this my Proclamation, issued in the name of and on behalf of her Majesty, direct that the said Battery and Companies shall be raised and embodied, and that the services of the necessary officers and men so provided for as aforesaid shall be engaged, upon the tems and conditions of the said Act, mentioned: And I further direct that the said Battery of Artillery shall be called the 'New South Wales Artillery,' and the said Companies the 'New South Wales Infantry.' Given under my hand and seal, at Government House, Sydney, this first day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, and in the thirty-fifth year of her Majesty's reign.

By command,
JOHN ROBERTSON-.
" God save the Queen ! "

Colonial Secretary's Offîce,

Sydney, 1st August, 1871.
His Excellency the Governor has been pleased, with the advice of the Executive Council, to make the following appointments in the Permanent Military Forces of this colony, viz. :
John Soame Richardson, Lieutenant-Colonel Command ing Volunteer Force, to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the  " New South Wales Infantry."
Arthur Frederick Fitzsimons, late Captain H.M. 40th Foot, to be Captain in the "New South Wales Infantry."
Alfred Spence Heathcote, V.C., lato Captain H.M. 60th Rifles, to be Captain in the " Now South Wales Infantry."
George John Airey, Lieutenant retired half-pay Royal Marines, to be First Captain of the " New South Wales Artillery." ...
Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 2 August 1871

THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.

The following notifications appear in yesterday's Government Gazette -

APPOINTMENT - Captain G. J. Airey, the Officer Commanding New South Wales Artillery, to be a member of the Warlike Stores Board.
Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 24 January 1872
[Warlike Stores Board  which provided direction to the Ordnance and Barrack Department. The Department was now responsible for all military supplies and ammunition and for all matters concerning private (commercial) explosives.]

APPOINTMENTS.-First Captain George John Airey to be major in the New South Wales artillery ; Empire Saturday 4 May 1872Major Airey

MAJOR GEORGE J. AIREY, the second in command as regards the artillery of the New South Wales troops for the Soudan, like his immediate superior officer, was at one time an officer of marines, and indeed we believe that he also passed a great portion of his service in that capacity on board the same ship as Lieutenant-Colonel Spalding, viz., the Challenger. Major G. J. Airey is an officer of wide experience, and has at.various times, and in distant lands, seen a good deal of active service. Major Airey was the first officer appointed to take charge of the New South Wales Artillery, on its formation in August, 1871.

Illustrated Sydney News Saturday 14 March 1885

Colonel Airey who was a member of the Soudan contingent, speaking of Suakim, says it is an undefended seaport, with no line of defences against either sea or land attack. Aden however is garrisoned and troops could be sent thence to Suakim in a couple of days. The approach to Suakim is between a number ot islands and the lead has to be kept going continuously until the anchorage is reached The town could be easily attacked by natives. 
The garrison does not exceed a couple of Egyptian battalions and at the time the contingent landed Suakim was the base of operations for a military demonstration. A fanatical rising of natives would result in disaster to Suakim for its defences are abso lutely incapable of supporting a fierce attack
by bands of nomadic warriors who would be incited by the belief that they were fight ing a holy war in which victory would give them the right to loot and plunder and death in paradise. The population is principally composed of half-cast store keepers, and the place is very unhealthy and absolutely without sanitation. 
Argus Saturday 4 April 1896

The retirement of Colonel Warner Wright Spalding, C.M.G., and Lietenant-colonel and Brevet-colonel .George John Airey from the New South Wales Artillery, with the rank of colonel has been approved. Both officers are permitted to wear their uniform on retirement.

Australian Town & Country Journal Saturday 21 November 1896

Colonel George J. Airey died at his residence, St. Elmo, Elizabeth Bay, yesterday, at the age of 63. The deceased officer was for many years in the New South Wales Artillery, but retired in July, 1896, on a pension. He was a member of the Soudan Contingent in 1885, and was mentioned in despatches. In the sixties, whilst in the Royal Marines, he saw some fighting with the Rewa River expedition.
Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 14 March 1905

Colonel George J. Airey has died from syncope at the age of 62. He came to New South Wales as officer in command of the marines on board the Challenger in 1866, and was in charge of the guard which protected H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh when he was fired at in Sydney .Colonel Airey formed the  first battery of the N.S.W. Artillery, now the Royal Australian Artillery. He leaves a widow; three daughters, and a son.
Australian Town & Country Journal Wednesday 15 March 1905

Colonel George J. Airey died at Elizabeth Bay, Sydney, on Monday, aged 63 years. He was for years connected with the New South Wales artillery, but retired in July, 1890, on a pension. He was a member of the Soudan Contingent, and was mentioned in dispatches.
Advertiser (Adelaide) 16 March 1905

AIREY -The Funeral of the late Colonel GEORGE J AIREY will leave St. John's Church, Darlinghurst THIS DAY (Tuesday) Service at 2.30 p m , thence to Waverley Cemetery

Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 14 March 1905

The funeral of the late Colonel George J, Airey, who was one of the founders of the New South Wales Artillery, took place yesterday at the Waverley Cemetery. A service was conducted by the Revs. E. C. Beck and H. J. Rose, at St. John's, Darlinghurst, prior to the interment, the Rev. E. C, Beck offi ciating at the graveside. Major C. Airey (brother) and Mr. Alfred Lord (brother-in law) were the chief mourners. There were also present Brigadier-General Gordon, CB, Major Luscombe, D.A.Q.M.G., Captain Forrest, R.N., Captain C S. Lindeman, Lieutenant. Colonel Murray, Major Broughton, Captai» Jenkins, R.A.A., the Rev. Canon Cooper, Sir Normand MacLaurin, Mr. R. J. Black, M.L.C Messrs. Harry Abbott, Milner Stephen, Wilfred and Arthur Docker, T. C. Ashe, Gillies, T. F. Waller, and E. L .Rutledge. Several warrant and non-commissioned officers of the R.A.A. were also present.
Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 15 March 1905

Colonel George J. Airey, who has just died in Sydney, came to New South Wales as officer in command of the marines on board the Challenger in 1866, and was in charge of the guard which protected H.R.H. the Dake of Edinburgh when he was fired at in Sydney. Colonel Airey formed the first battery of the New South Wales Artillery, now the Royal Australian Artillery.
Barrier Miner Saturday 18 March 1905