The AIF Project

William DAWSON

Regimental number12277
Place of birthBelfast, Co Antrim, Ireland
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationCarpenter
Address239 Punt Road, Richmond, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation29
Height5' 9.5"
Weight190 lbs
Next of kinFather, Richard J Dawson, 'Bovolgan', Stoneyford, Lisburn, Co Antrim, Ireland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date29 February 1916
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit nameField Ambulance 10
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/53/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A54 Runic on 20 June 1916
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll10th Field Ambulance
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Unspecified


Recommendation date: 25 September 1918

Mention in Orders


Recommendation date: 7 October 1918

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 1 January 1919

FateReturned to Australia 3 September 1919
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance
Medals

Military Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. As stretcher-bearer between RONSSAY and BONY on 29th September, 1918, working under heavy enemy machine gun, gas and shell-fire he located the Ambulance Collecting Post, and for twelve hours worked continuously keeping the Regimental Aid Post cleared. He has previously done excellent work, at operations round BRAY and CLERY from 22nd August to 1st September, 1918. On all these occasions his cheerfulness and personal bravery have set an excellent example to all ranks.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 135
Date: 11 December 1919

Discharge date12 April 1920
Family/military connectionsBrother: 12276 Lance Corporal George DAWSON MM, 10th Field Ambulance, returned to Australia, 3 March 1919.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 20 June 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 10 August 1916.

Proceeded overseas to France, 24 November 1916.

Wounded in action and rejoined unit in the field, 4 June 1917.

Admitted to 10th Field Ambulance, 3 October 1917; discharged and rejoined unit, 9 October 1917; appointed Lance Corporal, 28 October 1917.

Wounded in action, admitted to 10th Field Ambulance and transferred to 45th Casualty Clearing Station, 26 May 1918 (gas poisoning); discharged to unit, 26 July 1918.

Rejoined unit in the field, 27 July 1918.

Received commendation for 'conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, 29 September 1918.

On leave to United Kingdom, 4 October 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 24 October 1918; detached for duty with 11th Field Ambulance, 10 March 1919; detached for duty with 3rd Australian General Hospital, 9 April 1919; rejoined unit from detachment, 18 April 1919; marched out for return to Australia, 3 May 1919; marched out to England, 8 May 1919; marched in to Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot, Fovant, England, 13 May 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Barambah', 3 September 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 25 October 1919; discharged, 12 April 1920.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death31 May 1950
SourcesNAA: B2455, DAWSON William

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