The AIF Project

Forbes Campbell DAWSON

Date of birth11 June 1888
OccupationEngineer
Address62 Wellington Street, St Kilda, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation27
Next of kinMother, Mrs W F Dawson, 62 Wellington Street, St Kilda, Victoria
Enlistment date17 March 1915
Rank on enlistmentLieutenant
Unit name6th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/23/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria on 10 September 1915
Rank from Nominal RollCaptain
Unit from Nominal Roll58th Battalion
Promotions

Captain


Unit: 58th Battalion
Promotion date: 6 April 1917

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31089 (31 December 1919); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 (23 May 1919).

FateReturned to Australia 15 May 1919
Medals

Distinguished Service Order

'For conpicuous gallantry and a fine display of tactical skill during an attack over difficult ground covered with undegrrwoth and deep shell holes, many of which the enemy had turned into machine gun posts. He mopped up each post and secured his objective, accounting for 50 killed, 30 prisoners, and 10 machine guns. Though wounded he remained at duty for forty six hours. All the captured guns were at once mounted, turned on the enemy, and kept in action during the fight, materially assisting in repelling enemy counter attacks.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry when in charge of an attack on an enemy strong point. He was temporarily driven back with heavy losses, but prevented the semblance of a retreat and although, after being reinforced, his party did not exceed fifty men, with a final effort he drove the enemy from their position, capturing 184 prisoners and four machine guns.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189
Date: 8 November 1917

Other detailsMedals: Military Cross, Distinguished Service Order, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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