Thomas Dawson killed in France July 1916

This family headstone is in the churchyard at All Saints, Freethorpe.

In
Loving Memory
Of
SARAH ELLEN
The beloved wife of
THOMAS DAWSON
Who departed this life
November 21st 1918, aged 60 years,

Also of THOMAS FRANCIS
the beloved and youngest son of the above
who was killed in France July 1916
Aged 23 years.

How joyful is the hope that lingers,
When loved ones cross Death’s sea
That we when all Earth’s toils are ended
With them shall ever be.

No parting words shall e’er be spoken
In valour none so fair
But songs of joy, and peace and gladness
We’ll sing forever there.

Also of THOMAS DAWSON
Died Aug. 8th 1940 Aged 85 years.

Private DAWSON, THOMAS FRANCIS
Service Number:………. 16996
Died:…………………… 19/07/1916
Unit:…………………….8th Bn. Norfolk Regiment
Commemorated at THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Location: Somme, France
Source: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/756242/dawson,-thomas...

Soldiers Died in the Great War records that Private 16996 Thomas Francis Dawson was Killed in Action on the 19th July 1916 whilst serving in France & Flanders with the 8th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. He was born Hassingham, Norfolk and enlisted Norwich. No place of residence is shown.

The Medal Index Card for Private 16996 Thomas F. Dawson, 8th Norfolk Regiment, is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/5/220565
Source: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D2137132
He qualified for the 1915 Star, having first landed in France on the 25th July 1915. His card notes he was “K in A 19/7/16”. He also qualified for the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. There is no additional information on the card.

The associated Medal Roll for the British War Medal and the Victory Medal confirms he only sawe overseas service with the 8th Battalion.

The 25th July 1915 was the date the 8th Battalion landed at Boulogne.

Some of his Service Records appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Other Ranks Army Service Records were stored.

Thomas Francis Dawson was 22 years and 8 months old when he enlisted at Norwich on the 30th November 1914. Unmarried and working as a Casual Labourer, he gave his address as Freethorpe Green, Near Acle, Norfolk. He was born in the parish of Hassingham, Norfolk. He had no previous military experience.

He was described as 5 feet 6 and three quarter inches tall. He weighed 137lbs. His physical development and eyesight was given as good.

His next of kin was his mother, Sarah Dawson, of the same address.

He reported to the Depot in Norwich on the 1st December, was given service number 16996, and by the 8th was posted to the 8th Battalion at Colchester. He went to France with his unit on the 25th July 1915.

He was in hospital from the 11th March 1916 to the 22nd March 1916 with Bronchitis.

His statement of service shows him suffering gun shot wounds on both the 1st and 2nd April 1916. However his casualty form makes it clear he received a Gun Shot wound to the Buttock on the 1st April and was admitted to the 55th Field Ambulance on that day. By the 2nd he was at 21 CCS, being moved on by No.18 Ambulance Train to No.16 General Hospital at Le Treport. By the 29th April he was at a Base Depot at Etaples and would rejoin his battalion in the field on the 20th May 1916.

He was Killed in Action on the 19th July 1916 at a place unknown.

Post-war when the time came to issue medals and pay-out war gratuities for those who died, the Army sent out form W.5080 to the last known address of the next of kin. This asked for details of relatives who were then still alive. The form followed the the order of precedence for inheritance as it then applied.

In response to the sections Widow of the Soldier and Children of the Soldier the word “Single” has been written across them both.

Father of the Soldier: Thomas Dawson, Freethorpe Green, Near Acle
Mother of the Soldier: Sarah Ellen Dawson, (same address)

Brothers of the Soldier - Full Blood:
……….Walter Dawson, aged 40, In America, address not known
……….John Thomas Dawson, aged 38, Freethorpe, near Acle
……….Alfred Dawson, aged 26, R.S.G(?) in hospital in London

Brothers of the Soldier - Half Blood: (None)

Sisters of the Soldier - Full Blood:
………..Ellen Sharman, aged 41, Halvergate, Acle
……….Melinda Dawson, aged 30, Freethorpe Green, Norwich.

Sisters of the Soldier - Half Blood: (None)

The form was signed at Freethorpe on the 2nd May 1919 and witnessed by Benjamin Charles Sutton, Justice of the Peace for the County of Norfolk, of the Manor House, Freethorpe. In fact it looks like the form was actually completed by Benjamin on behalf of the father. Thomas Dawson has signed the form with an “X” and a BCS has nothed that this was his mark.

No match on Picture Norfolk, the County Image Archive.

No obvious Missing Persons enquiry received by the International Red Cross.

No obvious Soldiers Will or Civil Probate for this man.

Thomas is remembered on the Freethorpe War Memorial which is located in the cemetery at the Methodist Chapel.
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4438440

1893 – Birth……………………..

The birth of a Thomas Francis Dawson was registered with the Civil Authorities in the Blofield District of Norfolk in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1893. His mothers’ maiden name was Shreeve.

1901 Census of England and Wales

The 7 year old Thomas Dawson, born Hassingham, Norfolk, was recorded living at a dwelling ‘On the Green’, Freethorpe, Norfolk. This was the household of his parents, Thomas, (aged 46, a Teamster on Farm, born Moulton, Norfolk) and Sarah, (aged 43, born Stokesby, Norfolk). As well as their son Thomas their other unmarried children living with them are:-
John………aged 20…born Buckenham, Norfolk…Horseman on Farm
Frederick…aged 15…born Hassingham
Melinda…..aged 11…born Hassingham
Alfred…….aged 9…..born Hassingham
Maude……aged 3…..born Hassingham

1911 Census of England and Wales

The 18 year old Thomas Dawson, born Hassingham, Norfolk, was recorded as a Boarder at The Stables, Langley Hall, Chedgrave, near Loddon. A single man, he was working as a Groom – presumably at the Hall. He lives there with another one of the Grooms, a Leonard Twite from Shotesham, Norfolk.

His parents were still recorded living at Freethorpe Green. Thomas, (56, now shown as born Lingwood, Norfolk) and Sarah, (53), have been married 33 years and have had 12 children, of which 7 were then still alive. Still single and living with them are Frederick, (26, Farm Labourer) and Alfred, (19, Farm Labourer).

War Service………………..

The 8th Battalion landed at Boulogne on the 25th July 1915 as part of the 53rd Brigade in the 18th (Eastern) Division. The Division spent time from the summer of 1915 in the Somme part of the front. At that time a comparatively quiet part of the front, this local knowledge made them an ideal choice to form part of the initial attacking forces on the 1st July 1916.

Before that Thomas had suffered a Gun shot wound on the 1st April 1916. There is nothing specific in the Battalion War Diary, although the appendices for the month, including one that might have included more details about casualties, are missing from the version of the War Diary available at the National Archive.

The diary entry for the day reads:-
The Battalion was in Z.1. Sub-Sector. A great deal of wire was put up by the Companies, in the front line and LOWESTOFT STREET was cleaned out, and work was started there, with the object of turning this into a Counter Attack line, holding front line trenches with two Companies instead of three, putting the third Company into the Counter Attack line. Wind slight, variable N.E. to S.E.

9:pm. A searchlight was turned on to the Left Company and a green flare was sent up in front of trench A1 7/4 at about the same time.

On the day……………………

Wednesday 19th July 1916. Day 19

Delville Wood

Fighting continued in Delville Wood all day. 53 Bde (18th Div) had been sent to reinforce 9th Div. 8th Norfolks attacked from south west of Longueval at 7am and occupied the southern part of Delville Wood. The 10th Essex, 6th Royal Berkshire Regt and 8th Suffolks were sent to the attack with little success.
forum.irishmilitaryonline.com/showthread.php?t=9058

Battalion War Diary.

Talus Boise Salient 19th July. At 1.30 am Brigade Major arrived at Battalion Headquarters stating that Battalion was to proceed to valley north of MONTAUBAN and counter-attack as soon as possible on DELVILLE WOOD. Colonel and Adjutant immediately proceeded to Brigade Headquarters in MARICOUT and were then given the orders for the attack, in the meantime, Battalion proceeded to the valley at about S.22.c and d under Major L. Fletcher and remained there until the arrival of the Colonel and the Adjutant.

CO and Adjutant arrived in this valley at about 4.45am and found that the Battalion had been there 10 or 12 minutes. The Colonel immediately sent for Company Commanders and gave out orders.

5.10am Message was sent to Brigade saying that we were ready to be in our attacking position at S W corner of the wood at 6.15 am.

5.15am Brigade Intelligence Officer arrived and informed us that South Africans stated they were holding a line running North and West along BUCHANAN STREET, thence west along PRINCES STREET and the southern portion of the Village.

The orders of the Battalion were, that we were to take the whole of the South portion of the Wood from West to East, as far up as PRINCES STREET, the middle ride of the wood and that while this operation was being carried out, a barrage would be on the North portion of the wood, North of PRINCES STREET, and directly the south portion of the wood was cleared, the 10Bn.the Essex Regiment and the 6th Royal Berkshire Regiment would form up just south of PRINCES STREET and the 8th Bn the Suffolk Regiment in the Village, and then take the North of the Wood and the North of the Village, and that then the 8 Bn, the Norfolk Regiment would take over the whole wood and hold it with 16 strong points round the edge.

Battalion orders were that “A” Company was to be the right attacking company, “B” Company the left with “C” Company in support and “D” Company in reserve. “C” Company was responsible for dropping posts from West to East along PRINCES STREET as the attack proceeded.

“A” and “B” Companies moved off from the Valley S.22.d at 5.30 am.

Just before arriving at the S W corner of the wood “A” Company deployed and “B” company came up on the left of “A” to follow suit, but “B” Company was fired on by heavy Machine Gun Fire from just North of Princes Street and had to come round and deploy on the right of “A” Company, which at the same time eased along to their left up to PRINCES STREET making room on their right for “B” Company. This had considerably delayed the deployment and on receipt of messages from “A” and “B” Companies, Brigade was informed that attack could not commence until 7.15 am and was requested to keep the barrage on the South Portion of the Wood until that hour.

7.15am. Attack went forward well on the right, and “B” Company had little difficulty in reaching CAMPBELL STREET about 7.45am, but on the left “A” Company were very badly held up by enfilade machine gun fire coming from just North of PRINCES STREET. The Battalion Bombers were working along this flank but were not able to go over PRINCES STREET to tackle the machine gun owing to the fact of our own barrage that was on this portion of the wood. The two left platoons of “A” Company suffered very heavy casualties, both their officers, 2nd Lieut H M MacNicol and 2nd Lieut B W Benn being killed, accordingly a platoon from “C” Company went up in support.

8.15am. Position of the line was now as follows:-
“B” company were on the line CAMPBELL STREET as far as the centre of this street and thence “A” Company in a diagonal line running N.W up to the end of BUCHANAN STREET with 2nd Lieut Gundry White, a platoon of the Reserve Company and a few posts of “C” Company held the PRINCES STREET line west of BUCHNAN STREET.

9 am. “B” Company were able to advance their right, half way between CAMPBELL STREET and KING STREET along the south edge of the Wood but were held up by machine gun fire and suffered fairly heavily. A platoon from the Support Company having been sent up under Lieut H V Hughes, the machine gun at the south end of KING STREET was captured and the personnel with it killed. At the same time “A” Company advanced and reached the line of CAMPBELL STREET, “C” Company dropping three or four more posts between BUCHANAN STREET and CAMPBELL STREET on the line of PRINCES STREET, at the same time 2nd Lieut L A Gundry-White with the Battalion Bombers had forced the machine gun, which had been firing from N.W of the Northern end of BUCHANAN STREET, to retire.

11.30 am. The Battalion was now holding the line of KING STREET with “C” Company, (less one platoon), holding the line of PRINCES STREET. We were here checked for the time being as our artillery was barraging extreme East edge of the wood. About 11 am our artillery barrage lifted, and “B” company was able to push forward and occupy the S.E edge of the wood and East edge as far as ROTTON ROW. “A” Company were held up by a machine gun just North of the extreme east end of PRINCES STREET but after repeated attempts by 2nd Lieut L A Gundry-White, this machine gun for the time being retired slightly and “A” Company were able to get into touch with “B” Company at the East end of ROTTON ROW, and held a line from the East end of ROTTON ROW to the North end of KING STREET. “C” Company held the remainder of PRINCES STREET (Westwards) and “D” Company was holding South side. About 12.noon, the portion of the Wood South of PRINCES STREET was cleared.

12.40pm. On receipt of message to this effect from the Companies the 53rd Infantry Brigade, 10th Essex Regiment, 6th Royal Berks, and 8th Suffolk Regiment were notified accordingly. At about 1.0 pm these three Battalions formed up for the attack, and attacked at about 2.0 pm on our barrage lifting. The Battalion now commenced to make a series of strong points round the East and S E and South edge of the wood, and the snipers were sent up and made excellent practice from the South edge of the wood from the ridge north of GUILLEMONT. The afternoon was fairly quiet in the wood, but the enemy shelled the S E corner of LONGUEVAL incessantly.

Battalion Headquarters which had been at the West end of Dover Street from the commencement of the fight now moved up to trench about 150 yards north of DOVER STREET, owing to the fact that the junction of DOVER and SLOANE STREETS with PALL MALL was a marked spot for the enemys artillery and the signallers cellar had been blown in.

The Norfolk Battalion War diary records that the action at Delville Wood on the 19th / 20th alone cost the Battalion:-
3 Officers killed and 8 wounded
76 O.R’s killed, 2 Died of Wounds, 174 wounded, 36 missing.

Postscript………………….

The Army Register of Soldiers Effects records that the balance of his pay was sent to his his father Thomas in November 1916. Father Thomas would also receive his War Gratuity when this was paid out in October 1919.

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / Freethorpe (show map)

Taken on: September 29, 2018

Tags:

Freethorpe

Norfolk

In memoria

Dulce et decorum est

Old Soldiers rest in peace

The Norfolk Dead

Thomas Dawson

Thomas Francis Dawson

8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment

19/07/1916

19th July 1916

Sarah Ellen Dawson « less

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