Manitoba's WWI Fallen: Walter Dawson of Winnipeg

© 2022, Christian Cassidy

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, I am working on a series of blog posts that will look at some of the Manitobans who died in action. For more about this project and links to other posts follow this link.

1911 Census of Canada, Library and Archives Canada

Frederick and Emma Dawson and their eight children ranging in age from 8 to 29 came to Canada from their native England in 1910.

The 1911 census shows them all living together at 309 Carlton Street across from the old Free Press building. (Street directories indicate that they bought what had been a rooming house or boarding house with a large lot and stables.)

Mr. Dawson was a gardener by trade and with five of their children being men 17 years of age and older, most of them worked as well.

March 28, 1916, Winnipeg Tribune

The First World War brought big changes for the Dawson family.

For one, they sold their house on Carlton Street in 1915 and moved to a large family home at 113 Kate Street. (The Farmers and Gardeners Produce Exchange began advertising their new location as 309 Carlton Street in February 1916.)

This may have been a downsize for Fred and Emma as one by one the Dawson boys enlisted to fight in the war.

One of the sons was Walter Dawson who enlisted at Winnipeg on November 14, 1914. (For some reason he enlisted again at Ottawas in January 1915). Born at Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, he was 27, single, and worked as a foreman for the underground cable installation division of the city’s light and power department. He also had two years experience in the militia.

May 8, 1916, Winnipeg Free Press

Dawson arrived in France on November 2, 1915, and had an eventful war.

A small article in the May 8, 1916 edition of the Winnipeg Free Press noted that "word had been received by friends" that Dawson was to be recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal likely for his bravery at St. Eloi. The exact nature of his actions was not known.

There was no DCM, but he was awarded the Military Medal for "bravery in the field" in June 1916. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be an online description of what he received it for.

Less than three month later, in September 1916, Dawson suffered gunshot wounds to the back and chest and was sent to Egginton Hall Hospital in Derby, England to recover. He was discharged in June 1917 and back on active duty by September.

June 14, 1918, Winnipeg Tribune

Dawson was injured again in the field in June 1918 and his circumstances of death record notes that he died of "gunshot wounds - multiple" at No. 47 General Hospital at Le Treport, France on June 4. He is buried at Mount Huon Military Cemetery at Le Treport, France.

The other Dawson boys appear to have survived the war, though brother William was injured in a gas attack in 1915.

Sadly, their father, Fred Dawson, died not long after the war in March 1919 after "a lengthy illness". (You can read more about the family history at this blog post.)

Related:
Walter Dawson Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Walter Dawson Military File