18 Facts About Harry Rawson

Harry Rawson is chiefly remembered for overseeing the Benin Expedition of 1897, a British punitive expedition against the Kingdom of Benin.

Harry Rawson was appointed Governor of New South Wales, serving from 27 May 1902 to 27 May 1909.

Harry Rawson was born at Walton-on-Hill, Lancashire, on 5 November 1843, the son of Christopher Rawson, of a landed gentry family of The Haugh End and Mill House.

Harry Rawson was educated at Eastman's Royal Naval Academy and at Marlborough College.

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

Harry Rawson joined the Royal Navy in 1857 and took part in the capture of the Taku Forts in 1860 during the Second Opium War.

Harry Rawson was the Principal Transport Officer during the Anglo-Egyptian War in 1882.

Admiral Harry Rawson was appointed commander of British naval forces at the Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Station in 1895 and held that post at the time of the Benin Expedition which was regarded in British circles largely as a stroke of disciplined and coordinated planning:.

Harry Rawson was the commanding officer of the British forces in the Anglo-Zanzibar War, the shortest war in history, which lasted for 38 minutes on 27 August 1896.

Harry Rawson commanded the Channel Squadron from 1898 to April 1901, with HMS Majestic as flagship.

Harry Rawson was a recipient of the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Aviz of Portugal, Order of Hamondieh of Zanzibar and Order of Osmanieh of the Ottoman Empire and Civic Cross of Belgium.

In February 1902 Harry Rawson was appointed Governor of New South Wales, the first naval officer since William Bligh to hold the post.

Harry Rawson kissed hands upon his appointment in an audience with King Edward VII on 24 March, and left for Australia soon thereafter, arriving at Sydney on 26 May 1902 to take up the position the following day.

Harry Rawson proved so popular that his term was extended.

Harry Rawson lived with his family in Cranbrook, Bellevue Hill, the temporary Government House of New South Wales.

Harry Rawson's condition deteriorated and in June 1905 Harry Rawson travelled to England to be with her.

Harry Rawson died, two days before his 67th birthday, on 3 November 1910 in London after an operation for appendicitis; he was survived by two sons and a daughter.

The Harry Rawson Cup was donated by the Governor for competition between clubs in the Sydney British Football Association premiership.