Gideon Gorrequer

Lt. Col. Gideon Gorrequer KH (c. 1780 – 1841) was an Anglo-French soldier who is best known for serving as the aide-de-camp and acting military secretary to Sir Hudson Lowe during the exile of Napoleon upon St. Helena, and the diary that he kept whilst in this position.

Early life
The Philippes de Gorrequer family came to Jersey in the mid-18th century. They were originally a family Huguenot stock from Brittany. The Philippes family had lived near Plouvien for a number of years.

Career
Gorrequer joined the army at 16 as an Ensign in the 18th Foot in 1797, and was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant in 1798, Captain in 1804, Brevet-Major in 1814, and Lt.-Colonel in 1826.

Gorrequer first came into contact with Sir Hudson Lowe whilst serving in Sicily and the Ionian Islands. When Lowe was appointed as the Governor of St. Helena, he offered Gorrequer the position of Aide-de-Campe and Acting Military Secretary. Gorrequer accepted this position and arrived on St. Helena in the Phaeton on April 14, 1816.

While on St Helena he became engaged to Phebe, daughter of Captain Charles Bayard but she died before they could be married.

He was made a Knight of the Royal Hanoverian and Guelphic Order for his services.

Diary
For many years Gorrequer's papers, including his diary, were kept locked in the Court of Chancery, until they were finally made available in 1958.

Death
Gorrequer died suddenly whilst walking in Jermyn Street on July 18, 1841. He is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery.