John Wilson (Royal Navy officer)

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.

Naval career
Wilson was appointed a lieutenant in the Royal Navy in 1855. Promoted to captain in 1865, he was given command of HMS Narcissus, HMS Impregnable, HMS Thunderer and HMS Wolverine. He was appointed Commodore in command of the Australia Station in 1878.

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.

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 HMS Icarus (1885) was delayed to 27 July 1885 to allow his daughter, Julia, to conduct the ceremony.