William Dawson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Dawson was born in Bilby, Notts on 6th May1889. He was the first child born to Henry and Emma Dawson. Two years later, this family of three were living at the Ship Inn, Newington, Notts where Henry was employed as a maltsters labourer and the following year, William had a brother, George. They must have moved to Blyth, Notts as in 1895, a daughter, Gertrude was born there. By 1901 the family were now living in Retford at 7 Poplar Street, Ordsall, Retford, Notts and father, Henry still working in the malting industry. Ten years later, the parents were still living in Retford but now at Ranby Cottages and later moved to Duke Place in Worksop. William, meantime married Mary Chambers in 1914 in Retford, and in 1915, had a son, George, who was registered in Worksop.
William enlisted at Worksop on 11th April 1916 and at first served with the service number 7548 with the Lincolnshire Regiment . He went out to France on 12th March 1917 and was twice wounded . He later transferred to the 2nd battalion Royal irish Regiment. He was killed in action on 27th September 1918 and is buried in the Sucrerie British Cemetery Graincourt-Les-Havrincourt, grave reference A 52 .
France. Pte William Dawson Worksop Guardian 13 December 1918 News has recently received of the death in action on Sept 27th inst. of Pte William Dawson aged 28, son of Mr and Mrs H Dawson, 7 Duke Place, Worksop. The deceased soldier, who was well known in both Worksop and Retford, was employed before the war at Threlfall’s maltings, Worksop, where his father is also engaged. He enlisted on April 11th 1915 and joined the Lincolns, but was subsequently transferred to the Royal Irish Rifles. He was sent to France in March 1916 and took part in considerable fighting. He was twice wounded and on one occasion was buried in a shell hole, where he lay for some time. He was a gallant soldier and was well liked by his comrades, and the news of his death will be received with great regret. He leaves a widow and one child with whom, his parents and other members of the family, great sympathy is felt. His brother and brother-in-law are both serving. Pte William Dawson Retford Times 20th December 1918 Killed in Action Pte Wm Dawson, Royal Irish Fusiliers, was killed in action, in France on Sept 27th 1918. He was 27 years of age, and was the son of Mr and Mrs H Dawson of Worksop. He joined up on April 11th 1916, and went to France March 12th 1917, he had seen a lot of hard fighting. he was wounded on two occasions and also buried for tow hours owing to a shell falling on to the trench he occupied. Previous to joining the Colours he was employed by Messrs Threlfall's Maltkins and lived at 7 Duke Place, Worksop. he leaves a widow, now residing at 25 Canal Street, Retford, and one child.
