John Wilson (Royal Navy officer)

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John Wilson
Born 1834
Died 4 July 1885
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Navy
Rank Rear Admiral
Commands held HMS Narcissus
HMS Thunderer
Australia Station (1878–1882)

Rear Admiral John Crawford Wilson (1834 - 4 July 1885) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Australia Station.

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Early life [edit]

Wilson was born in 1834 to James Wilson and Margret Wilson (née Crawford). He was the tenth of 12 children.[1]

Naval career [edit]

Wilson was appointed a lieutenant in the Royal Navy in 1855.[2] Promoted to captain in 1865, he was given command of HMS Narcissus and then HMS Thunderer.[2] He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Australia Station in 1878.[2] In 1879, in response to the murders of white men, Wilson led a punitive expedition against the natives in the New Hebrides.[3] He reached the rank of rear admiral in 1881.[4]

Family [edit]

Wilson's first marriage was to Mary Gore. He married again in 1871, this time to Georgina Emma Blackett. They had two children, Julia (b. 1872) and Alexander (b. 1876).[1]

Death [edit]

Wilson died on 4 July 1885. The programmed launch on 11 July of the steam gunvessel Icarus was delayed to 27 July 1885 to allow his daughter, Julia, to conduct the ceremony.[5]

References [edit]

External links [edit]


Military offices
Preceded by
Anthony Hoskins
Commander-in-Chief, Australia Station
1878–1882
Succeeded by
James Erskine