Biography

Henry Hutchinson Montgomery (1847 - 1932) was born in Cawnpore, India, eldest son of Sir Robert Montgomery and Ellen Jane, formerly Lambert. He was educated at Harrow and graduated B.A. from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1870. The following year he was made a deacon in the Church of England and at Chichester the year after was ordained priest.

Henry's first appointment was as curate of Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, from 1871 to 1874. Thereafter followed a series of curacies in Southwark, Westminster and Kensington. He continued his studies and gained an M.A. and then D.D. in 1889. That year on 1st May he was consecrated bishop in Westminster Abbey.

On 28^th July 1881 he married Maude Farrar, daughter of Frederick William Farrar, Canon of Westminster. They had seven children, the youngest of whom was Bernard, born at Kensington in 1887 and who later became Viscount Montgomery of Alamein.

The new bishop, with his wife and family sailed for Tasmania. They arrived on 23^rd October 1889 and Henry was enthroned as Bishop of the Diocese of Tasmania on 29th October. During his twelve years in office, he was instrumental in many advances of the Church in the colony. Apart from his missionary work and tireless visiting of every part of his Diocese, the bishop saw to the completion of the Cathedral, the formation of the University and the establishment of the House of Mercy - "for fallen women". The Diocesan Year Book was first published in 1891 and in 1892 the Collegiate School for young ladies was established. The Jubilee of the Diocese was celebrated on 27^th July 1893 and the consecration of the Cathedral chancel was performed on 18^th January 1894.

After several more years of devoted service the bishop retired in July 1901, returned to England and took up an appointment with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. In 1919 he retired and eventually settled in Moville, Ireland. He was appointed K.C.M.G. in 1928. Bishop Montgomery died at the family estate, 'New Park', on 25^th November 1932.

In his honour, and later memory, the episcopal arms of the bishop were carved in the stone at the base of the dome of St. John's Church. The blazon reads:
Arms:
Per pale on the dexter Az.
a crosier in bend dexter surmounting a key in bend sinister Or,
between four stars of eight points Ar. The stars representing the principal constellation of the Southern Hemisphere called The Crux Australis,
for the See of Tasmania.
On the sinister quarterly lst and 4th Az. three fleurs-de-lis. Or.
for Montgomery;
2nd and 3rd Gu. three annulets Or for Ellingston.
Crest:
A dexter gauntlet erect holding a dagger all Ppr."

Source