Matthew Lawrence DAWSON

Regimental number6303
Place of birthKoroit, Victoria
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationHorse breaker
AddressCoburg, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Next of kinMother, Mrs Jane Dawson, 3 Willacott Street, Coburg, Victoria
Enlistment date17 October 1916
Place of enlistmentBroadmeadows, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name24th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/41/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 23 November 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll24th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Work at Mont St.Quentin on 1 September 1918.
Recommendation date: 13 September 1918

FateReturned to Australia 25 January 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'In the attack on MT. ST. QUENTIN, near PERONNE, on 1st September, 1918, Private DAWSON was No. 1 on a Lewis Gun. Seeing that an enemy machine gun was holding up the left flank of the advance he pushed forward with his gun into an exposed position from which he was able to silence the enemy gun. This he did on his own initiative. Later his own crew had all become casualties, but DAWSON pushed on alone to another commanding position carrying his gun, 16 magazines and a tool bag. Here in spire of intense machine gun fire and many snipers, he continued to provide covering fire for flanking parties. While the final objective was being consolidated, he again engaged and silenced a hostile machine gun at great personal risk. He displayed great courage and initiative.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal