George Herbert Gall was born in Farrukhabad, India on 7 Feb 1779. His father was Lawrence Gall, formerly a Captain in the infantry, but from 1784 he was an Assessor in Calcutta. His mother was Sophia Gall neé Fortnom. He was educated in England and trained as a cadet in 1795. In 1797 he arrived in India and was posted to the 3rd BNC, transferring to the 1st BNC in 1799 as a lieutenant. He was posted to the Governor-General’s Bodyguard from 12 Dec 1800, and appointed Adjutant and QM of the GGBG on 1 Sep 1802, but temporarily left to go on active service in Jumna Doab in 1803 with the 1st BNC. He fought at Sasni, Bijaigarh, and at Kachaura where his horse was killed under him. On 11 Mar 1805 he was promoted to captain and appointed ADC to the Governor-General, Sir George Barlow.
From Feb 1806 to 21 June 1818 he was the Commanding Officer of the GGBG. The unit took part in the capture of Java in 1811, in action at Weltevreden and Cornelis where he was wounded, but was awarded the Gold Medal. He went on furlough from 1817 to 1821 and was promoted to major on 1 Sep 1818. He was posted to the 8th BLC in 1821 and commanded the regiment with the rank of Lieutenant-colonel from 1 May 1824, and when they went on campaign to capture Bhurtpore. His term of command was cut short when he died at Karnal on 26 June 1826. He was married to Ann Wilkinson on 24 Feb 1812, at Calcutta. The image is the gold medal which was awarded to field officers who took part in the capture of Java in 1811.
