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Harry Rawson

Admiral
Sir Harry Rawson
GCB GCMG
Rawson.jpg
21st Governor of New South Wales
In office
27 May 1902 – 27 May 1909
Monarch Edward VII
Lieutenant Sir Frederick Darley
Preceded by The Earl Beauchamp
Succeeded by The Viscount Chelmsford
Personal details
Born (1843-11-05)5 November 1843
Walton-on-Hill, Lancashire, England
Died 3 November 1910(1910-11-03) (aged 66)
London, England
Nationality British
Spouse(s) Florence Alice Stewart Rawson (nee Shaw)
Occupation Naval Officer
Signature
Military service
Allegiance United Kingdom United Kingdom
Service/branch Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Navy
Years of service 1857–1901
Rank Admiral
Commands Cape of Good Hope Station
Channel Fleet
Battles/wars Benin Expedition of 1897, Anglo-Zanzibar War
Viceregal styles of
Sir Harry Rawson
Badge of the Governor of New South Wales.svg
Reference style His Excellency
Spoken style Your Excellency
Alternative style Sir

Admiral Sir Harry Holdsworth Rawson GCB GCMG (5 November 1843 – 3 November 1910), is chiefly remembered for overseeing the British Benin Expedition of 1897 that burned and looted the city of the Kingdom of Benin, now in Nigeria. No shame was attached to the event at the time, which amounted to a punitive expedition, and Admiral Rawson was appointed Governor of New South Wales, 27 May 1902 – 27 May 1909.

Harry Rawson was born at Walton-on-Hill, Lancashire on 5 November 1843, the son of Christopher Rawson. He was educated at Eastman's Royal Naval Academy and at Marlborough College.

In October 1871 in Cheshire, England, he married Florence Alice Stewart Shaw, daughter of John Ralph Shaw, of Arrowe Park, Cheshire. The couple had five children.

He was a long-standing Freemason, and served as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Rawson joined the Royal Navy in 1857 and took part in the capture of the Taku Forts in 1860 during the Second Opium War. Promoted to Captain in 1877, he was given command of HMS Minotaur. He was the Principal Transport Officer during the Anglo-Egyptian War in 1882. Then, in 1883, he was made Flag Captain to the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet and, in 1885, he was appointed Captain of the steam reserve at Devonport. He returned to sea as Captain of HMS Benbow in 1889.


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