Harry Finn
| Harry Finn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 6 December 1852 |
| Died | 24 June 1924 |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom Australia |
| Service/branch |
British Army Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1871–1907 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held |
General Officer Commanding Australian Military Forces Commandant Queensland Defence Force Commandant New South Wales Military District |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Conduct Medal Mentioned in Despatches (2) |
Major General Henry (Harry) Finn CB, DCM (6 December 1852 – 24 June 1924) was a senior officer in the British Army who served as General Officer Commanding Australian Military Forces (1904–1905).
Military career
Finn joined the British Army as a Private Soldier in the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers in 1871.[1] He served in the Afghanistan War of 1878 for which he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and mentioned in despatches.[1] He was commissioned into the 21st Hussars in 1881 becoming Inspector of Musketry for that Regiment in 1882 and Adjutant of the Regiment in 1884.[1]
In 1887 he was transferred to India and in 1898 he went to Sudan, fought at the Battle of Omdurman and was mentioned in despatches.[1]
He took up appointments in Australia as Commandant of the Queensland Defence Force in 1899 and Commandant of the New South Wales military area in 1902.[1] In 1904 he became General Officer Commanding Australian Military Forces and in 1905 he was made Inspector-General of the Australian Military Forces.[1] He was a keen horseman and rode to and from his residence at Dawes Point Battery every day.[2]
An inkwell made from the hoof of the horse Finn used in 1898 can still be seen at Victoria Barracks in Sydney.[3]
Family
In 1886 he married Catherine Scott and they went on to have two daughters and one son.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Harry Finn at Australian Dictionary of Biography
- ↑ The Barracks Guard Sydney Morning Herald, 24 December 1946
- ↑ A Look at the History of Officers Mess Victoria Barracks 1848 – 2001 by John Kreckler
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Major General Sir Edward Hutton |
General Officer Commanding Australian Military Forces 1904 – 1905 |
Succeeded by Major General William Bridges as Chief of the General Staff in 1909 |