Harry Rawson: Difference between revisions

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In January 1897, Oba (King) [[Ovonramwen]] of Benin ordered the ambush of a British trade delegation under General James Phillips, with only two British surviving. The British Foreign Office ordered a retaliatory expedition, and the Admiralty appointed Rawson to lead the expedition. His official objective was to capture Ovonramwen and destroy Benin City. The invasion was launched on 9 February 1897, with an invasion force of 1, 200 men landing in Benin and splitting into three columns which separately advanced on Benin City, along the way discovering the remains of many Beni subjects who had been sacrificed by Ovonramwen to stave off disaster. During the expedition, troops under Rawson's command razed entire villages with artillery and massacred and raped hundreds of men, women and children. After twelve days, Benin City was captured and sacked, with houses, ceremonial sites and the palaces of many chieftains being looted before the city was burned to the ground. Chief among the looted treasures were the Benin Bronzes, thousands of metal plaques and sculptures belonging to the Oba intended to glorify him and his predecessors. Ovonramwen had fled, but was captured in August and exiled to Calabar for the rest of his life. Rawson's execution of the campaign was widely praised as an example of disciplined and coordinated planning.

In February 1902 Rawson was appointed Governor of New South Wales by King Edward VII. He proved so popular in the position ~~tat~~ his term was extended until 1909, when he retired. He died from appendicitis the following year.

In February 1902 Rawson was appointed Governor of New South Wales by King Edward VII. He proved so popular in the position that his term was extended until 1909, when he retired. He died from appendicitis the following year.

[[Category:List]]

[[Category:Male]]

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 In January 1897, Oba (King) [[Ovonramwen]] of Benin ordered the ambush of a British trade delegation under General James Phillips, with only two British surviving. The British Foreign Office ordered a retaliatory expedition, and the Admiralty appointed Rawson to lead the expedition. His official objective was to capture Ovonramwen and destroy Benin City. The invasion was launched on 9 February 1897, with an invasion force of 1, 200 men landing in Benin and splitting into three columns which separately advanced on Benin City, along the way discovering the remains of many Beni subjects who had been sacrificed by Ovonramwen to stave off disaster. During the expedition, troops under Rawson's command razed entire villages with artillery and massacred and raped hundreds of men, women and children. After twelve days, Benin City was captured and sacked, with houses, ceremonial sites and the palaces of many chieftains being looted before the city was burned to the ground. Chief among the looted treasures were the Benin Bronzes, thousands of metal plaques and sculptures belonging to the Oba intended to glorify him and his predecessors. Ovonramwen had fled, but was captured in August and exiled to Calabar for the rest of his life. Rawson's execution of the campaign was widely praised as an example of disciplined and coordinated planning.
-In February 1902 Rawson was appointed Governor of New South Wales by King Edward VII. He proved so popular in the position tat his term was extended until 1909, when he retired. He died from appendicitis the following year.
+In February 1902 Rawson was appointed Governor of New South Wales by King Edward VII. He proved so popular in the position that his term was extended until 1909, when he retired. He died from appendicitis the following year.
 [[Category:List]]
 [[Category:Male]]