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Lot Essay
K.C.B. London Gazette 24.5.1895.
General Sir Henry Tuson, K.C.B., was born in Boulogne, the son of a Naval Lieutenant, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Marine Artillery in April 1854, aged 18 years. Advanced to 1st Lieutenant in June 1855, he first saw action in the Second China War while serving in H.M.S. Magicienne. Among other engagements, he witnessed the capture of an enemy Battery of 14 guns on Koulan Island and commanded a party at the taking and burning of two cities on the Island of Quemry, in addition to being present at the attack on the Peiho Forts in June 1859 and the capture of the Taku Forts in August 1860.
Promoted to Captain in November 1865, he next served in the Channel Squadron aboard H.M.S. Hercules, a two year posting that was followed by a number of shore appointments, including a stint in South Africa. Back at sea in H.M.S. Minotaur in 1879, and by now a Major, Tuson was shortly afterwards transferred to H.M.S. Orontes for service in the Mediterranean, a posting that led to his extensive participation in the Egypt and Sudan Campaigns of 1882-84.
Appointed a Lieutenant-Colonel in July 1880, he commanded a combined force of R.M.A. and R.M.L.I. at the reconnaissance of Malhala Junction on 5.8.1882, and the R.M.A. at the actions of El Magfar, Mahsameh and Kassassin, services that won him a Mention in Despatches (London Gazette 19.9.1882 refers). Once more in action at Kassassin on 6.9.1882, in addition to the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir later that month, he was latterly present at the occupation of Cairo and the Aboukir Forts. Twice Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Garnet Wolseley (London Gazette 2.11.1882 refers), he was successfully nominated for a C.B. (London Gazette 17.11.1882 refers). In fact November 1882 proved a memorable month for the gallant Tuson, advancement to Colonel and appointment as an A.D.C. to the Queen being confirmed at this time. He was, moreover, presented with his Egypt Medal by Her Majesty at Windsor at the end of the month.
Marked out for senior command, he was back in action as C.O. of the R.M.A. and R.M.L.I (Mediterranean, East Indies and China Squadrons) in the Sudan Campaign of 1884. Mentioned in Despatches for the Battles of El-Teb (London Gazette 27.3.1884 refers), Tamaai and the advance on Tamanieb (London Gazette 9.5.1884 refers), Tuson's services were further recognised by his appointment to the Order of Osmanieh, Third Class (London Gazette 6.10.1885 refers).
Advanced to Colonel Commandant R.M. in November 1886, Major-General in May 1888 and Lieutenant-General in August 1893, he was promoted to K.C.B. in May 1895. Sir Henry, who had been installed as a Commander First Class of the Ernestine House Order on the accession of the Duke of Sax-Coburg-Gotha in 1893, was placed on the Retired List as a full General in April 1901 and died at Kingston-on-Thames in December 1916.
General Sir Henry Tuson, K.C.B., was born in Boulogne, the son of a Naval Lieutenant, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Marine Artillery in April 1854, aged 18 years. Advanced to 1st Lieutenant in June 1855, he first saw action in the Second China War while serving in H.M.S. Magicienne. Among other engagements, he witnessed the capture of an enemy Battery of 14 guns on Koulan Island and commanded a party at the taking and burning of two cities on the Island of Quemry, in addition to being present at the attack on the Peiho Forts in June 1859 and the capture of the Taku Forts in August 1860.
Promoted to Captain in November 1865, he next served in the Channel Squadron aboard H.M.S. Hercules, a two year posting that was followed by a number of shore appointments, including a stint in South Africa. Back at sea in H.M.S. Minotaur in 1879, and by now a Major, Tuson was shortly afterwards transferred to H.M.S. Orontes for service in the Mediterranean, a posting that led to his extensive participation in the Egypt and Sudan Campaigns of 1882-84.
Appointed a Lieutenant-Colonel in July 1880, he commanded a combined force of R.M.A. and R.M.L.I. at the reconnaissance of Malhala Junction on 5.8.1882, and the R.M.A. at the actions of El Magfar, Mahsameh and Kassassin, services that won him a Mention in Despatches (London Gazette 19.9.1882 refers). Once more in action at Kassassin on 6.9.1882, in addition to the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir later that month, he was latterly present at the occupation of Cairo and the Aboukir Forts. Twice Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Garnet Wolseley (London Gazette 2.11.1882 refers), he was successfully nominated for a C.B. (London Gazette 17.11.1882 refers). In fact November 1882 proved a memorable month for the gallant Tuson, advancement to Colonel and appointment as an A.D.C. to the Queen being confirmed at this time. He was, moreover, presented with his Egypt Medal by Her Majesty at Windsor at the end of the month.
Marked out for senior command, he was back in action as C.O. of the R.M.A. and R.M.L.I (Mediterranean, East Indies and China Squadrons) in the Sudan Campaign of 1884. Mentioned in Despatches for the Battles of El-Teb (London Gazette 27.3.1884 refers), Tamaai and the advance on Tamanieb (London Gazette 9.5.1884 refers), Tuson's services were further recognised by his appointment to the Order of Osmanieh, Third Class (London Gazette 6.10.1885 refers).
Advanced to Colonel Commandant R.M. in November 1886, Major-General in May 1888 and Lieutenant-General in August 1893, he was promoted to K.C.B. in May 1895. Sir Henry, who had been installed as a Commander First Class of the Ernestine House Order on the accession of the Duke of Sax-Coburg-Gotha in 1893, was placed on the Retired List as a full General in April 1901 and died at Kingston-on-Thames in December 1916.