Harry Finn

Major General Henry 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 from 1904 to 1905.

Harry Finn
Major General Harry Finn c. 1906
Born	6 December 1852 Tenterden, England
Died	24 June 1924 (aged 71) Sydney, Australia
Buried	South Head Cemetery, Sydney
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1871–1907
Rank	Major General
Commands held	Australian Military Forces (1904–05) New South Wales Military District (1902–05) Queensland Defence Force (1899–01)
Battles/wars	Second Anglo-Afghan War Mahdist War Battle of Omdurman
Awards	Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Conduct Medal Mentioned in Despatches (2)

Military career

Finn joined the British Army as a private in the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers in 1871.[1] He served in the Second Anglo-Afghan War of 1878 for which he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and mentioned in despatches.[1] He was commissioned into the 21st Lancers 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 in the Battle of Omdurman and was mentioned in despatches.[1]

Finn was placed on half-pay from his regiment, and was promoted to the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel on 2 March 1900.[2] Selected for the appointment in Australia as Commandant of the Queensland Defence Force,[3] he was granted the local rank of colonel whilst so employed from 2 March 1900.[2] He became 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.[4]

An inkwell made from the hoof of the horse Finn used in 1898 can still be seen at Victoria Barracks in Sydney.[5]

Family

In 1886, he married Catherine Scott and they went on to have two daughters and one son.[1]

References

1. Harry Finn at Australian Dictionary of Biography
2. "No. 27170". The London Gazette. 2 March 1900. p. 1436.
3. "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times (36080). London. 3 March 1900. p. 9.
4. The Barracks Guard Sydney Morning Herald, 24 December 1946
5. A Look at the History of Officers Mess Victoria Barracks 1848 – 2001 by John Kreckler