[3] He served in England, Ireland and Scotland from 1847 to 1855, Crimea 1855, Mauritius 1857–1862,[4][5] and Madagascar 1862–1865.

He returned to England and, after serving with the army in India, was appointed as the last Lieutenant Governor of Penang from 1867 to 1882.

[6] In his memoirs About Others and Myself, he describes the feeling of depression upon his appointment as Penang's Resident Councillor.

When the riots ended he negotiated a peace agreement between the contending parties; Red Flag and Tua Pek Kong members against the White Flag and the Ghee Hin.

[8] Anson was invested with Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) in 1876[9] and Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) in 1882.