William Gustavus Brown
General William Gustavus Brown (3 February 1809 – 27 November 1883) was Commander of British Troops in China and Hong Kong. FamilyBrown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, to Janette Smellie (who was listed as a free woman of colour on his baptism) and Major Gustav Heinrich Gottlieb Braun (Brown), a German-born officer in the King's Royal Rifle Corps.[1] Military careerBrown was commissioned into the 24th Regiment of Foot.[2] Having served as a brigadier-general at Aldershot, he was promoted to major-general and made commander of British Troops in China and Hong Kong in 1863.[3] During his term in command he put down a disturbance at Taitsan; allegations were made at the time about cruelty by British troops but were subsequently dismissed as groundless.[4] He was also colonel of the 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot.[5] In retirement, he lived in Sydenham in Kent.[6] References
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