Dawson | W | 5129 | Sapper | QSA (3) CC SA01 SA02
TNA ref 158/75; 158/88 | Royal Engineers, Fortress Company, 46th |
Dawson | W | | | 1st Battalion. Volunteer Service Company
Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls | Durham Light Infantry |
Dawson | W | 25174 | Sergeant | MiD by Roberts 1 Mar 1902.
QSA (3) RoK OFS Tr. KSA
TNA ref 160/18; 315/74 | Royal Engineers, Pontoon Troop, C |
Dawson | W | | Assistant Engineer | QSA (0). William Dawson was born at New Brompton, Kent in January 1876 and was appointed probationary Engineer in the Royal Navy in July 1896. Advanced to Assistant Engineer in July 1897.
He served in HMS Sybille from Oct 1900 until she was wrecked in Lambert's Bay on 16 January 1901, thereby becoming the only Royal Navy ship to be lost during the Boer War. However, unlike four of his fellow officers who were severely reprimanded at the subsequent court martial held onboard HMS Monarch at Simonstown, Dawson was actually commended by his captain for removing and saving the Sybille's gun-bedplates-he had in fact been asleep when the ship struck the reef, but immediately went below and ordered the watertight doors to be shut in the port and starboard engine rooms. Commendably prompt, as these actions were, he still considered it dangerous for the engine room staff to remain because of the ship's severe list to starboard and the resultant risk of the engines being lifted off their beds, in addition to which, there was a growing risk of steam escaping from fractured pipes. The subsequent order for the engine room staff to make for the upper deck was most likely, therefore, prompted by his swift and accurate report of such dangers to his senior – and may well have been responsible for avoiding loss of life.
By the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he was serving in the rank of Engineer Commander as the 1st Assistant to the Chief Engineer at Hong Kong Dockyard, where he had been employed since August 1911. In August 1915, however he returned to sea with an appointment in the cruiser HMS Blonde, in which he was commended for his services when she had to be re-floated in August 1916. Then in January 1918, he removed to the Thunderer, in which battleship he remained employed until July 1919, when he returned to Hong Kong to resume his pre-war duties at 1st Assistant at the Dockyard. Placed on the retired list in the rank of Engineer Captain at his own request in January 1923, Dawson settled in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, where he died in July 1948.
QSA (0) (Asst. Eng, RN HMS Sybille), 1914-15 Star (Eng Commr, RN), BWM, VM (Eng Commr, RN)
Source: QSA medal rolls | HMS Sybille |
Dawson | W | 3509 | Sapper | QSA (4) CC OFS Tr SA01
TNA ref 161/46; 161/53 | Royal Engineers, Volunteers, Royal Anglesey |
Dawson | W | 29280 | Driver | Invalided. To Army Reserve. QSA issued 9 Aug 1902.
QSA (4) CC OFS Belf SA01
TNA ref 159/12; 159/77 | Royal Engineers, Telegraph Battalion, 1st Division |
Dawson | W | | Honorary Major | MID LG: 29 July 1902, page: 4856. Source: General Kitchener. 23 June 1902. Re: Final despatch & mentions
This page contains all the London Gazette pages for the Boer War | Cape Medical Staff Corps |
Dawson | W | 25174 | Sergeant | MID LG: 17 June 1902, page: 3966. Source: Field Marshal Roberts. 1 March 1902. Re: General mentions
This page contains all the London Gazette pages for the Boer War | Royal Engineers |
Dawson | W | | | Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls | Prince Alfred's Volunteer Guard |
Dawson | W | | Major | Joined 18 Oct 1899
Source: Nominal roll in WO127 | Cape Medical Staff Corps |
Dawson | W | | | Source: Medal rolls | Dorsetshire Regiment |
Dawson | W | 4635 | Private | Slightly wounded at Colenso. 15 Dec 1899.
Source: Natal Field Force Casualty Roll, page 232 line 30 | Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry |
Dawson | W | | | Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls | Midland Mounted Rifles |
Dawson | W | | | Volunteer Service Battalion
Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls | Loyal North Lancashire Regiment |
Dawson | W | | | 4th Battalion. 18th MI
Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls | Royal Warwickshire Regiment |
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