# Sir Henry Rawlinson — Now It Can Be Told character guide

> Sir Henry Rawlinson in Now It Can Be Told by Philip Gibbs.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Gen. Sir Henry Rawlinson, Rawlinson, Harry, Henry

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

A decorated general Gibbs calls one of the best, whose Somme drive cost prodigiously and whose late pursuit finally broke the enemy.

## Who they are

Rawlinson is the general seen strolling buttercup fields with a joking aide while the men who will die learn to hate the staff. Gibbs grants him real quality—ribbons, a driving purpose, eventual triumph in open warfare—but never lets the reader forget the price. He embodies the book's central unease: that good generalship and enormous waste could live in the same man.

## In the story

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/now_it_can_be_told_se/chapters/xviii)

Commanding the Fourth Army, known for his optimism and jovial demeanor, but criticized for the high cost of the Somme battles.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/now_it_can_be_told_se/chapters/xii)

General Rawlinson is seen at his headquarters, taking tea and arguing with Lord Cavan over captured artillery, seemingly unbothered by losses.

### [The Great Push and the Tragedy of Sanctuary Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/now_it_can_be_told_se/chapters/xx)

Mentioned as commander of the Army of Pursuit for the planned offensive.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/now_it_can_be_told_se/chapters/i)

Rawlinson had his headquarters of the Fourth Army in an old château near Querrieux.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/now_it_can_be_told_se/chapters/x)

Rawlinson is mentioned as arguing and persuading in favor of continued grand-scale assaults after the initial disaster on the left.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/now_it_can_be_told_se/chapters/iv)

Quoted saying 'Three shots to one, sir' to the King regarding artillery superiority.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/now_it_can_be_told_se/characters/sir_henry_rawlinson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/now_it_can_be_told_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/now_it_can_be_told_se/characters