John Wilson
Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Australia Station
About John Wilson
Lived 1834 – 1885 (aged 50–51). John Wilson was a British military personnel.
Rear-Admiral John Crawford Wilson (1834 – 4 July 1885) was a Royal Navy officer who was appointed Commodore in command of the Australia Station.
Early life Wilson was born in 1834 to James Wilson, Chief Justice of Mauritius, and Margaret Crawford. He was the 10th of 12 children.
In 1879, in response to the murders of island traders, Wilson led a punitive expedition on HMS Wolverine against natives in the New Hebrides and Solomon Islands. Wilson also personally led a raid on Brooker Island which had been the site of a number of instances of cannibalism.
He was promoted to the rank of rear admiral in 1881 at the conclusion of his term in Australia.
Family 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).
Death Wilson died on 4 July 1885. The programmed launch on 11 July of the steam gunvessel was delayed to 27 July 1885 to allow his daughter, Julia, to conduct the ceremony.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John Wilson?
Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Australia Station (1834-1885)
When was John Wilson born?
John Wilson was born in 1834.
When did John Wilson die?
John Wilson died on 4 July 1885.
What was John Wilson's occupation?
John Wilson was a military personnel.
What nationality was John Wilson?
John Wilson was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Wilson (Royal Navy officer)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Wilson. https://biography.guide/john-wilson-military-personnel/
MLA: "John Wilson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-wilson-military-personnel/.
Chicago: "John Wilson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-wilson-military-personnel/.
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