More about David Wilson Dawson

David has no known grave but is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

David Wilson Dawson   CZ/474   Hood Bn Royal Naval Division

DAWSON―Killed in action, on the 23d April, David W. Dawson, second son of Mrs Dawson, 27 Bernard Street. – Inserted by his mother and sister and brother Tom (on active service), also by his sister-in-law and brother Edwin (on active service).

Dundee People’s Journal 19th May 1917

David W Dawson was a Labourer when he joined up in October 1914. He listed his next of kin as Mrs Huskins of 6 Bernard Street, Dundee. He volunteered to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve onboard HMS Unicorn for service with the Royal Naval Division. After initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London he was sent to Blandford Camp in Dorset for advanced military training. Initially drafted to the Howe Battalion he became a member of the Blandford Camp Staff. He fell foul of the Naval Discipline Act on several occasions and served time in detention and in cells. In December 1916 he was drafted to the Hood Battalion in France arriving in January 1917. In March he spent four days in hospital in France. David Dawson was killed in action during the fighting at Gavrelle in April 1917. His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, in Northern France.

Iain Stewart and Iain Birnie