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