Gurwood was made a Companion of the Bath in 1838, and in March 1839 he was given a pension of £200pa for Literature and Service. In September 1839 the Queen of Portugal nominated him a Knight Commander of the Tower and the Sword. In November 1839 he was appointed Deputy Lieutenant at the Tower of London on the recommendation of the Duke who was the Constable. The Secretary at War, T.B. Macaulay, pointed out that garrison sinecures were supposed to be abolished on vacancy, but the Duke argued that in these times of civil unrest it was essential to do everything to ensure the security of the Tower.