Samuel Robert Dawes
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Samuel Robert was the son of Henry and Sarah Eliza Dawes (née Knight). His father Henry Dawes was born in Alwalton, Huntingdonshire, in about 1860 and his mother Sarah Eliza Knight was born in Wath, Yorkshire, in 1859. They were married at Bulwell General Baptist Chapel in 1880 and had five children, one of whom died in infancy: Ellen b. Bulwell 1880, John Henry b. Bramcote birth registered 1883 (J/F/M), Harriett b. Bulwell 1884, and Samuel Robert birth registered 1887 (J/F/M) and Ernest b. 1890 d. 1891 who were both born in Bramcote. In 1881 Henry, a coal miner, Sarah and their daughter Ellen were living at 52 Austin Street, Bulwell. They had moved to Bramcote by the time their second child, John Henry, was born two years later and were recorded at Church Street, Bramcote, on the 1891 Census. Their fifth child, Ernest, died later that year. The family had returned to Bulwell by 1894 and in 1901 were living at 87 Austin Street. Henry was now employed as a blast furnace labourer while his wife and daughter Ellen were shopkeepers (greengrocer), John was a bricklayer and Samuel an errand boy. The second daughter, Harriet, has not yet been traced on the 1901 Census. Ellen married Francis Highmore Ambrose in 1902 and in 1911 they were living at 15 Austin Street, Bulwell. The couple later separated and Ellen was living on the Bulwell Hall Estate by 1939 when the England and Wales Register was compiled. She died in 1948 and her husband remarried the same year. Administration of Ellen's estate was awarded to her brother John Henry and widowed sister Harriet Heath. Harriet married Albert George Heath in 1908; they have not yet been traced on the 1911 Census but were recorded on the 1921 Census in Redbridge, Ilford, Romford, Essex. Albert probably died in 1934 (reg. Romford Essex). Harriet was living in Redbridge, Ilford, in 1939 and probably died in 1962. Samuel married Emma Harlott (b. 1886) in 1910 and had three children: Hetty b. 1912, William Henry b. 1914 and Samuel R. b. 1915 who died aged three in 1918. The year after their marriage Samuel, who was working at a blast furnace, and Emma, a lace mender (lace finishing company), were living at 85 Merchant Street, Bulwell, but later moved to 113 Austin Street. Samuel's parents were still living at 87 Austin Street in 1911. Although their children had now left home, three of Sarah's relatives were living with them, two nephews Thomas Richards (b. 1883) and Arthur Richards (b. 1892) and a niece Maud Winifred E Richards (b. 1894). They were three of the four surviving children (four others, Bertha Alice, Oliver, Samuel and Harry, dying in infancy or childhood) of Sarah's married sister, Mary Ann Richards (m. Thomas Richards, Basford Baptist Chapel 1878) who had died in 1901. The Richards family had previously lived in Bulwell. Henry and Sarah continued to live at 87 Austin Street until their deaths, Henry in May 1923 and Sarah in February 1924. Samuel's widow Emma married Albert E Brand (b. 1887) in 1927 and in 1939 they were living at 6 St Alban's Street, Bulwell. Albert was a 'retail dealer' (greengrocer, groceries, sweets and tobacco) and Emma was assisting in the business. Also in the household were Emma's married daughter, Hetty Martin (m. 1937), and her husband Frank and Emma's son William Henry. Emma died in 1961.
1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment The 1st Battalion was in Portsmouth on the outbreak of war in August 1914 and was mobilised and landed at Le Havre on the 14th as part of 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. From February-April 1915 the Brigade was attached to 28th Division and then the Battalion transferred to 62nd Brigade, 21st Division on 14 November 1915. In 1917 the Battalion fought in the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive, the Third Battles of Ypres (31 July-10 November 1917) and the Cambrai Operation (Nov-Dec 1917). Samuel Robert served in France from August 1917, coinciding with the Third Battles of Ypres, and died on 31 October 1917 from wounds received in action ('shell concussion'). He is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. V.J.14). The history of the cemetery indicates that Samuel's grave was brought in from either the battlefield or one of the smaller cemeteries after the Armistice. 1917: 'The Third Battle of Ypres - also known as Passchendaele - has shaped perceptions of the First World War on the Western Front. Fought between July and November 1917, both sides suffered heavy casualties and endured appalling conditions. The name Passchendaele has become synonymous with mud, blood and futility. In 1917 General Sir Douglas Haigh [Commander of the BEF France from 19 December 1915] planned a major offensive to break out of the Ypres salient, which the Allies had occupied since 1914. Haig's vision was for a war-winning breakthrough. He planned to capture the high ground around Ypres, as well as a key rail junction to the east, and then advance on the German-occupied ports of the Belgian coast - critical to the U-Boat campaign. The battle failed to achieve Haig's objectives. It lasted over 100 days. In that time, the Allies advanced about 5 miles for the loss of over 250,000 soldiers killed, wounded or missing. … Final objective: The Third Battle of Ypres is often called Passchendaele. It's been referred to by this name since the 1920s. The village of Passchendaele - and Passchendaele Ridge - were objectives in the final stages of the offensive. The rain returned in October. Despite worsening conditions and exhausted troops, Haig decided to continue the offensive in order to capture Passchendaele Ridge. The heavy casualties and appalling conditions suffered during the advance on Passchendaele perhaps contributed to the use of the name to refer to the battle as a whole.' Source: www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-third-battle-of-ypres-passchendaele CWGC - History of Hooge Crater Cemetery (extract): 'Hooge Chateau and its stables were the scene of very fierce fighting throughout the First World War. On 31 October 1914, the staff of the 1st and 2nd Divisions were wiped out when the chateau was shelled; from 24 May to 3 June 1915, the chateau was defended against German attacks and in July 1915, the crater was made by a mine sprung by the 3rd Division. On 30 July, the Germans took the chateau, and on 9 August, it and the crater were regained by the 6th Division. The Germans retook Hooge on 6 June 1916 and on 31 July 1917, the 8th Division advanced 1.6 kms beyond it. It was lost for the last time in April 1918, but regained by the 9th (Scottish) and 29th Divisions on 28 September. Hooge Crater Cemetery was begun by the 7th Division Burial Officer early in October 1917. It contained originally 76 graves, in Rows A to D of Plot I, but was greatly increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of Zillebeke, Zantvoorde and Gheluvelt and the following smaller cemeteries [listed].' (www.cwgc.org)
Beeston Gazette and Echo, 8 December 1917 (photograph): ‘For King and Country. Bulwell Bee Expert. In the Midland Counties and notably in Notts., Samuel Robert Dawes, of 113, Austin street, Bulwell, was well-known as an expert in agriculture. One of his hobbies was the keeping of bees, and his experience gradually developed him into an acknowledged judge of bees, hives, and honey. He secured many prizes as a competitor, and became a capable adjudicator at shows. At one stage of his career he was also a keen harrier, and won many prizes in cross-country runs. Up to April 1917, Dawes was an engine driver at Messrs. Walkers’ bleachworks, Bulwell. Then he joined the 1st Lincolns, and was sent to France in August. Information has now been received that he was killed in action on October 31. He was a native of Bramcote, but his parents, who reside at 87, Austin street, came to Bulwell in 1894. Lance-Corpl. Dawes, who is the youngest son, was married, and leaves a widow and three children. He was an active worker at the Wesleyan Mission Hall, Forest Side, whilst he was generally recognised as one who was always willing to put his shoulder to the wheel in any charitable or deserving object, and in the home circle he was a devoted husband and parent.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘Roll of Honour,’ 8 December 1917: 'Dawes. Killed in action October 31, 1917, Lance-Corporal Samuel Robert Dawes, 1st Lincolns, aged 30 years. What would we give his hand to clasp, His loving face to see; To hear his voice and see his welcome smile, That meant so much to us. From his sorrowing wife and children, also father and mother, Austin street, Bulwell.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘In Memoriam,’ 2 November 1918: ‘Dawes. In memory of a dearly-beloved brother, Lance-Corpl. SR Dawes, of Bulwell, who died from shell concussion received in action on October 31, 1917. ‘Death divides, but memory clings.’ From his brother and sister at Rossington, Doncaster.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: the brother and sister may have been Samuel's married sister Harriet Heath and her husband Albert George. Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘In Memoriam,’ 2 November 1918: ‘ Dawes. In loving memory of our dear son, Lance-Corpl. SR Dawes, of Bulwell, who died from shell concussion received in action on Oct. 31, 1917. ‘Ever in our thoughts.’ From mother, father, and sisters (Bulwell).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘In Memoriam,’ 2 November 1918: ‘ Dawes. In loving memory of my dear husband, Lance-Corpl. SR Dawes, of Bulwell, who died from shell concussion received in action on Oct. 31, 1917. 'A day of remembrance, sad to recall.’ from loving wife and children (Bulwell).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘Deaths.’ 1 March 1924: ‘Daws (sic). On February 27th, at Austin Street, Bulwell, Mrs H Daws, aged 64 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) WW1 Pension Ledgers: named his widow Emma and their three children, Hetty, William Henry and Samuel Robert (d. 1918).
