Name
Samuel Edward Dawson
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/02/1915
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
1179
Royal Field Artillery
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BROXBOURNE (ST. AUGUSTINE) CHURCHYARD
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
*1
UK & Other Memorials
Broxbourne Town Memorial, St Augustine’s Church Memorial, Broxbourne, Broxbourne C Of E Primary School Memorial
Pre War
Samuel Edward DAWSON was born in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, in the early part of 1891, the son of Stephen Dawson a Game Keeper and Kate Dawson (nee Hatch). Kate Hatch was Stephens second wife, his first wife Emma Snashall (1841-1880) with whom he had five children. Stephen married Kate Hatch on 17th May 1884, at St Jude’s Church, Kensal Green, Middx, with whom he had six children, although one died in childhood.
1891 Census records Samuel aged 2 months, living with his parents, half-sisters Mable (13), Lilian (11), sisters, Bertha (5), Daisy Constance (3) and Dora Kate (1889 – 1892), in Pembridge Lane, Broxbourne, Herts. Samuel attended Broxbourne C of E Primary School.
1901 Census records Samuel aged 10, at school, living with his parents, and four sister, Bertha (15), Daisy (13), Elizabeth (7) and Dorothy (5) in, Frank’s Fields, Broxbourne, Herts.
On the 11th November 1908 Samuel enlisted at Staines House, Barbican, London, in the 1st London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery Territorial Force for four years, and issued with the service number 355. Aged 17, his occupation is given as a Clerk. He attended the two-week annual training camp in 1909, 1910, 1911, & 1912. He was discharged on the 10th November 1912, on completion of his engagement.
1911 Census records Samuel aged 20, single, employed as an Upholsterers Clerk for Maple & Co, living at 49 Grafton Street, Tottenham Court Road, St Pancras, London. His parents and sister Dorothy (15) are living in High Street, Broxbourne, Herts, his father Stephen (73) is now retired. His father Stephen died on 28th March 1913, aged 75.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war Samuel reenlisted on 7th August 1914, in his old unit the 1st London Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, Territorial Force and issued with the new service number 1179. He volunteered for overseas service on 18th September 1914, as Territorials did not serve overseas unless they volunteered.
Samuel was discharged medically unfit for war service on 21st February 1915, and died on 26th February 1915, of Tuberculosis (TB). His buried in the family grave in St Augustine’s Churchyard, Broxbourne, Herts. Grave Ref: C. 117.
Additional Information
No Medal Index card (MID) for Samuel was found, so we have assumed he did not serve overseas so did not qualify for a medal and was still undergoing training in the UK when he was taken ill and subsequently died. At the time of his death, he was serving with the 3rd Battalion.
His effects of £6-19-06, pay owing and his war gratuity of £3, went to his mother Kate Dawson.
*1 It seems that Samuel shares the family grave in Broxbourne (St. Augustine) Churchyard, his part of the inscription reads:
". . . ALSO EDWARD DAWSON SON OF THE ABOVE CALLED TO REST FEBRUARY 26TH 1915 AGED 24 YEARS.
"THESE ARE THEY WHICH COME THROUGH GREAT TRIBULATION."
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Richard Barber
