A veteran of the 1st Burma War (1824-1826), General Sir Henry Godwin (1784-1853) was the commander-in-chief of the British forces during the 2nd Burma War (1852-1853). During this campaign Prome (Pyay) and Rangoon (Yangon) were rapidly overrun and the province of Pegu (Bago) was annexed by the British. However final victory proved elusive, and fighting and civil unrest continued for several years. The climate and physical exertion took a heavy toll on Godwin's health and he died shortly after the campaign.
