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 a farm wagoner, 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. Joseph was born in the 2nd quarter of 1896 in Edmondthorpe, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 14th June 1896 in Edmondthorpe, his siblings were, Thomas, born 22nd June 1884, Mary, born 1886, Alfred, born 1894, and Emily, born 1899, all his siblings were born in Edmondthorpe, in March 1901 the family home was at Spirs Farm, Edmondthorpe. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a farm worker and was residing in the family home at Edmondthorpe, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and sibling Emily, a schoolgirl, also residing in the family home was Joseph’s Nephew, George Smith, born 1909 in Chertsey, Surrey. Joseph also had the following older siblings, George, born 1879, William, born 1880 and Elizabeth, born 1882, all three siblings were born in Edmondthorpe. Joseph was awarded the British War and Victory medals. His elder brother Thomas died of wounds, whilst in captivity in July 1917.
The War Diary records: 23 Mar-18 - About midnight (22nd) we moved off and took up position in GREEN LINE on the eastern edge of EPINETTE WOOD, which was held until about 10.00am. Position was then taken up south of NURLU ROAD. Orders to withdraw to MOISLAINES-MIDINETTE LINE, from here position was eventually taken up on high ground between HAUT-ALLAINES and CLERY where we remained until morning.
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.
On Friday June 21st 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “EDMONDTHORPE.” – PRISONER OF WAR. – Some time ago it was reported that Mr. and Mrs. Dawson had had another son killed, but we are pleased to learn otherwise. Pte. George Dawson, 13th Sussex Regt., who has been missing since April 9th, and whose wife resides at 448, Old Kent-road, S.E., received a post card from him saying he is quite well and a prisoner in Germany. George, who is 38 years of age, was for a long time gardener for the late Rev. Douglas, and before joining up in the early part of 1916 was a tram conductor in London. Miss Dawson, on enquiring for further news of her brother Joe, received the following: “B.E.F. France, 19th May, 1918. Dear Miss Dawson. – Your letter of the 13th has been passed to me, and although I was not in command on No. 1 Platoon in March I have made enquiries and have traced a man who was with your brother when he was killed. This is 33022 Pte. W. Clarke, No. 4 Platoon, A Coy. I have asked him to write to you. I asked how it happened, and he said, the platoon were in a trench near Epihy (sic) when the enemy succeeded in entering the trench, and our men had to retire. Their officer was wounded, and your brother and Pte. Clarke made an attempt to carry him back on a stretcher. Four of the enemy jumped on the parapet and opened fire, your brother being hit in the side, the bullet probably passed through his heart, and he died at once. I am sorry to say his body had to be left in German hands, so I do not know where he is buried. I hope you will accept my deepest sympathy at your loss. He was very much missed, and seems to have been very popular with his comrades. He died doing his duty to the last. Yours Sincerely Charles W. Martin, 2nd Lieut.” Pte. Clarke wrote: “Concerning your brother who fell on March 22nd at Epihy (sic), we were working together and Joe was bringing in a wounded officer when he was hit in the body by a bullet and fell. He must have died instantaneously, for he never spoke.”