Rawson, Wyatt

Wyatt T. R. Rawson (b. 1894 in London) was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He was at Weimar studying music and philosophy at the outbreak of War, when he was held as a British Civil Prisoner of War, and interned at Ruhleben, 1914-1918, living in Barrack No. 3.

From the guide to the Wyatt Rawson papers, 1917-1977, (GB 206 Leeds University Library)

Wyatt Rawson was born on 27 August 1853. He entered the Royal Navy in 1866, later serving during the Ashanti War between 1873 and 1874, for which he was promoted lieutenant in March 1874. He was appointed third lieutenant in HMS Discovery on the British Arctic Expedition, 1875-1876 (leader George Strong Nares), sent by the Admiralty to attempt to reach the North Pole by way of Smith Sound and to explore the coasts of Greenland and adjacent lands. Following his transfer to HMS Alert in August 1875, Rawson undertook a sledge journey with sub-lieutenant George Egerton in March 1876, during which they saved the life of Danish dog-driver Niels Petersen.

After the expedition, Rawson served in the Mediterranean and as aide-de-camp to General Wolseley during the Egyptian campaign. Following a serious injury, he died in HMS Carthage as the ship was entering Malta harbour on 21 September 1882. He was specially promoted to commander in September 1882.

From the guide to the Wyatt Rawson collection, 1875-1876, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)