Sir Harry Rawson

Sir Harry Holdsworth Rawson, G.C.M.G., G.C.B., was Governor of New South Wales from 1902 to 1909. Born in Upper Islington, Liverpool, on 5 November 1843, he had a long naval career before his appointment, rising to the rank of admiral and serving in multiple overseas commands. He married Florence Alice Stewart Shaw in 1871; following her death, his daughter Alice Rawson increasingly undertook vice-regal duties.

Rawson participated in the first vice-regal visit to the Lightning Ridge opal fields in February 1909, travelling to the Old Town at Wallangulla. His arrival was met with a large gathering of miners and locals, with the town and district promoted as the source of black opal. A public luncheon was held in his honour, and local miner Ted Bishop presented Miss Rawson with a fine specimen of black opal. Miss Rawson later visited Bishop’s claim and found some small stones herself.

Rawson spoke freely with miners about their work and prospects and addressed schoolchildren with advice, urging boys to avoid foul language, keep good company, and act in ways that honoured their mothers and sisters.

Rawson completed his term in May 1909 and retired to England. He died on 3 November 1910 in London and was buried in Bracknell, Berkshire.

• Sir Harry Rawson @ Find a Grave (burial).

• Sir Harry Rawson @ Find a Grave (cenotaph at St. Paul’s Cathedral).

• Sir Harry Rawson @ Wikipedia.

• Sir Harry Rawson @ Australian Dictionary of Biography.

Article: Research by Russell Gawthorpe and Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: ‘Governor on Tour - Wholesome Advice to Boys’, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 February 1909, p. 6; ‘Lightning Ridge Opal Field -n The State Governor’s Visit’, Barrier Miner, 16 February 1909, p. 2; ‘General News’, Bathurst Daily Argus, 17 February 1909, p. 2; Walgett Spectator, 20 February 1909; The Lightning Ridge Book, Stuart Lloyd, 1967, pp. 20-23, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 11, 1988.