Allen Francis Gardiner

Allen Francis Gardiner (1794–1851) was a British Royal Navy officer and missionary to Patagonia. Biography Gardiner was the fifth son of Samuel Gardiner of Coombe Lodge, Oxfordshire, by Mary, daughter of Charles Boddam of Capel House, Bull's Cross, Enfield, Middlesex. He was born on 28 January 1794 in the parsonage house at Basildon, Berkshire, where his parents were temporarily residing. He was religiously educated, and in May 1808 entered the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth. Naval career On 20 June 1810 he went to sea as a volunteer on board . He next served on as a midshipman during the War of 1812 until August 1814. He distinguished himself in the capture of the American frigate , and was sent to England as acting lieutenant of that prize. Being confirmed as lieutenant on 13 December, he served in the frigate in the Mediterranean Fleet, then in , and in various parts of the world. He returned invalided to Portsmouth on 31 October 1822.