More about James Anderson Dawson

James Dawson   403295   Army Service Corps

DUNDEE CHAUFFEUR GAINS THE D.C.M.

Private Jas Dawson, M. T., A.S.C., Field Ambulance Driver, has been awarded the D.C.M. for bravery on the field.  His wife resides at 24 West Street, Dundee.  He enlisted in February 1915, and went to France shortly after enlisting.  Prior to enlistment he was employed as a chauffeur, and was well known in Dundee.  He has been twice wounded, and has a brother serving with the colours.

Dundee Courier 12th June 1918

Citations of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-1920

M2/050383 Pte. J. A. Dawson, A.S.C. (LG 3 Sept. 1918).

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He behaved with great gallantry when clearing wounded from advanced positions under heavy shellfire.  On several occasions he brought away as many as six men at a time.  Once he drove his car (an unarmoured Ford) through a very intense barrage to the rescue of wounded men – the bursts of the shells at times lifting the car, which was riddled with fragments, right off the roadway.  He was frequently under machine gun fire during the performance of his duties in a retirement, and took his car into the rearguard to pick up wounded men.  During one successful counter-attack, he was well in front of the armoured motor cars to bring back wounded left by the roadside until they could got away.  He continued at his duty with conspicuous courage until he was severely wounded.