Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Dawson an agricultural labourer, born 1844 in Buckminster, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Dawson (nee Clarke, married on the 23rd August 1874 in the Parish Church, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire), born 1854 in Colsterworth, Lincolnshire. Thomas born on the 22nd June 1884 in Edmondthorpe, Leicestershire, his siblings were, George, born 1879, William, born 1880, Elizabeth, born 1882 and Mary, born 1886, all his siblings were born in Edmondthorpe, in April 1891 the family home was at Farm Building, Edmondthorpe. In March 1901 Thomas was employed as a general agricultural labourer and was residing in the family home at Spirs Farm Buildings, Edmondthorpe, together with his father, a farm wagoner, his mother and siblings, Mary, Alfred, born 1894, Joseph, born 1898 and Emily, born 1899, the latter three siblings were all born in Edmondthorpe. In April 1911 Thomas was absent from the family home in Edmondthorpe, residing there was his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings Joseph, a farm worker and Emily, a schoolgirl, also residing in the family home was Thomas’s Nephew, George Smith, born 1909 in Chertsey, Surrey. Thomas’s younger brother Joseph fell in action in March 1918.
Thomas attested into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 12th May 1916 in Altorado, Alberta, Canada. He gave his date and place of birth as 22nd June 1884 in Edmondthorpe, Leicester, England, his trade or calling as farmer and his present address as Altorado, Alberta. He gave his father, George Dawson of Edmondthorpe, Leicester, England as his next of kin. He confirmed that he was unmarried. His medical examination recorded that he had an apparent age of 32 years was 5 foot 10 inches in height, weighed 190 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 36 and 40 inches. His complexion was described as dark, his hair colour was dark and he had brown eyes. It was noted that he had three vaccination marks on his left arm. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 16th June 1916 at Sarces Camp. His record of service began when he joined the 175th Overseas Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force as a Private, service number 696954 on the 15/6/16. Embarked aboard S.S. Saxonia from Halifax on the 4/10/16. Disembarked in Liverpool, England on the 13/10/16. Transferred to the 21st Reserve Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Alberta) as Seaford, Sussex on the 10/1/17. Admitted to Ravenscroft Military Hospital, Seaford, Sussex suffering from myalgia on the 13/1/17. Discharged from Hospital on the 26/1/17. Proceeded from Bramshott to join the 50th Battalion Canadian Infantry in France on the 21/4/17. Disembarked Le Havre on the 22/4/17. Proceeded to join unit on the 24/4/17. Joined 50th Battalion Canadian Infantry, in the field on the 1/5/17. Reported missing after action on the 3/6/17. Previously reported missing now confirmed that he was a Prisoner of War in Grafenwohn, Bavaria, Germany on the 12/8/17. Reported died whilst a Prisoner of War at Grafenwohn, Bavaria, Germany on the 26/7/17.
The War Diary records: 3 Jun-17 – In front of LIEVIN, Bn. H.Q. M.35.a.55.35. Weather, ground and wind as yesterday.
12 Zero. The attack went forward in good order and met with opposition the whole way.
12.06 am. Enemy barrage started fairly heavily, but directed chiefly on our support lines. The CALLOUS trench was found to be strongly held and also the C.E.G.S. Latter was tunnelled and contained usual good dug-outs, where many of the enemy were either killed or captured. Communication at this time could not well be maintained and the situation was obscure until when at 2.35 am Officer Commanding “B” Company reported he had reached his objectives, was in touch with the 44th Battalion on right and a few men of “A” Company on his left, and was digging in. His line was approximately from N.31.a.10.10 to M.36.b.80.50. Officer Commanding “D” Company reported that he had established a left flank after heavy fighting but was not in touch with “A” Company – would send out patrols. The next report was from Officer Commanding “C” Company, he had attained his objective but his patrols had been driven in. Later it transpired he had been compelled to fall back on the line taken up by “B” the Support Company.
5.20 am. Information received that 44th had reached their objectives but had been compelled to withdraw to original front line - -?-.
8.30 am. As information still vague. Officer Commanding went forward to get, if possible some appreciation. (It transpired that Officer Commanding “A” Company had been killed in the advance and this partly accounted for the obscurity). Result – Officer Commanding ascertained we had dug in on a line from RAILWAY embankment at N.31.a.10.07 to M.36.b.80.50, thence along an old enemy trench to M.36.b.90.65 and along to M.36.b.80.80. We were in entire possession of C.E.G.S., but the fire from enemy artillery and Trench Mortars on this point very heavy. That the enemy was using CANDLE trench to bring up his reinforcements and a heavy counter attack seemed imminent; moreover the state of affairs was serious as our right flank was in the air, the enemy being actually behind it. That the ground was chalky and very hard and during the hours of darkness it had not been possible to dig down more than from 3 foot to 3 foot 6 inches. That as soon as it became light the troops were subjected to heavy sniping from the front, from the BREWERY on the right and HILL 65 on our left front – a ridge which dominated our position and had always given trouble. Moreover, the enemy artillery had got our line and were making direct hits. The result of this reconnaissance was duly reported to Brigade.
12.00 noon. Message received that a small party of our (men were still holding out in our final objective (“A” Company frontage) and a party was directed to use a trench on the North side of the RAILWAY embankment and bomb up to their assistance but owing to heavy artillery and rifle fire it was not possible to do this.
3.00 pm. At this time our casualties had become serious and a message was received from Lieutenant BARGE that he was the only officer left of “D” Company, that his position appeared untenable as his casualties were about 75%. As it seemed likely we should not be able to hold our ground orders were sent to “B” the Support Company to be prepared to counter-attack up CALLOUS and CANINE trenches to protect left flank of “C” and keep open the line of withdrawal. Reinforcements were ordered by Brigade but these did not arrive till 9.30 pm – too late to be utilised.
6.00 pm. Message from Officer Commanding “C” that he was still holding on, but casualties from shell fire were increasing and owing to the shallow trench no movement was possible in daylight. In his opinion withdrawal would be advisable if reinforcements of men and ammunition were not available.
6.45 pm. After a short but intense bombardment the enemy attacked all our positions simultaneously, using bombs chiefly, our men holding them until our supply of grenades was exhausted when they jumped out of the trenches and with their wounded withdrew overland to our old front line, suffering very few further casualties considering the amount of Machine Gun fire brought to bear on them. What was left of the Battalion was then organised into two Companies and our old positions re-occupied. During course of action we captured 54 prisoners and 1 automatic rifle (sent back) and destroyed several light Trench Mortars. Casualties to enemy heavy, especially in earlier stages of the fight. The enemy garrisons in CANINE and CANARY trenches were wiped out and many losses were inflicted in CALLOUS which was heavily manned. There hand to hand fighting took place and 3 dug-outs believed to be tenanted took fire from our bombs. We were unable to hold our ground for the following reasons –
[1] The difficulty of digging in owing to hard ground.
[2] The enemy observation and accurate fire from HILL 65 on our left front.
[3] Our inability to prevent enemy reinforcements from using CANDLE trench.
[4] The unavoidable withdrawal of the 44th Battalion from the position they had captured, thus leaving our right in a precarious position.
The Officer Commanding in his report comments on the excellent work performed by Major H. B. DAVISON (died of wounds), Captain A. O. SANDERSON (wounded), Captain J ALLEN and Lieutenant’s R. STEPHEN and A. R. DAWSON and a number of Other Ranks. Also on the valuable services rendered by the 2 Companies of the 46th Battalion attached to 50th for carrying. Our positions were made to do much useful work in carrying up stores and bringing out stretcher cases. During the remainder of the night the situation was normal, both artilleries indulging in desultory fire only.
Casualties – Lieutenant P. G. LEADLEY and Lieutenant C. H. DEVINE killed. Lieutenant G. E. AMBURY, missing believed wounded. Major H. B. DAWSON, wounded (Died of wounds 4.6.17), Captain G. F. AYLWARD, Lieutenant J. ROSS, Lieutenant G. B. HARRIS, Lieutenant C. J. FLAVIN, Lieutenant A. ROWLEY, Captain A. O. SANDERSON, wounded. Other Ranks. Killed 38. Missing, 32. Wounded, 129 (of these 6 Died 4.6.17).
Lieutenant B. J. GOODMAN returned from leave.
On Friday August 17th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – EDMONDTHORPE. WOUNDED AND MISSING.- Mr and Mrs Dawson, of this village, have been officially notified that their son, Pte. Thomas Dawson, of the Canadian Regiment, who has been missing since the 3rd June 1917, is wounded, and a prisoner at Grafenwohn, Bavaria. His sister has received a postcard from him. He went to Alberta, Canada, some time since, joining a contingent there. His younger brother Joseph Henry also fell.
On Friday April 26th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “EDMONDTHORPE.” – KILLED IN ACTION. – The sad news is to hand that Pte. J. H. Dawson, Leicester’s, was killed in action on March 23rd. Deceased was 22 years of age, a very bright intelligent young man, quiet and steady, always ready to write a letter of sympathy to the parents of any wounded or fallen comrades. He has been in France two years and has seen much fighting. Before joining up he worked in the Hall gardens. His brother Tom was severely wounded and taken prisoner last June, and died from the wounds in hospital in Germany in July. Much sympathy is felt for his aged parents in their double bereavement. They have three other sons serving – George and Alfred in France and William in Egypt.