Person

Benjamin “Ben” Dawson was the second son of Gateshead couple, Thomas Dawson and Sarah Jane Dawson nee McLeod, who had married in 1867. Born on 19 November 1874 he was baptised in St James’ Church, Gateshead two days before Christmas 1874. There is no mention of Thomas on any of the late nineteenth century censuses but it is known that Sarah was widowed by 1901 and was working as a pawnbroker with oldest son John as her assistant. By 1901 Ben had given up his job as a clerk and was an electrician. After his mother died in 1908 he made the decision to emigrate and on 28 October 1909 arrived in Canada, making for Vancouver, British Columbia and work as an electrician.

Benjamin enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in Vancouver on 19 January 1916. He became private 703364 in the 102nd Battalion. On his attestation paper he mentioned the ten years he had spent in the Durham Light Infantry before leaving England. He named his sister, Mrs Isabella Austin in Newcastle upon Tyne, as his next of kin. His medical notes remark that the end of the middle finger of his left hand was missing.

Before even leaving Canada Ben was in hospital in Comox, British Columbia for a week with influenza. In June 1916 he sailed with his battalion to Liverpool, Lancashire aboard the SS Empress of Britain. He was initially posted to Bramshott Camp, East Hampshire. Two months later, as part of the 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division, he sailed from Southampton to France.

On 20 January 1917 Benjamin was in confinement awaiting a court martial. He was charged with “neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he, at Gouy-Servins (Zoave Valley), neglectfully discharged a revolver in a public billet.” In his defence Ben stated “ having nothing particular to do at the moment I was standing near the door when I saw a revolver lying on the desk, and not having had the opportunity of examining a revolver I took it up and examined it and twisted the chamber around several times. It did not appear to me to be loaded. While examining the sights I pressed the trigger and much to my surprise it went off”.

At the court martial Ben’s platoon commander, Lieutenant Bailey, informed the court that he had known the accused for twelve months and his conduct was first class, he was a hard worker with an absolutely clear conduct record. Private 703364 was found guilty and sentenced to 42 days field punishment No 1. This was later commuted by Brigadier General Odlum, commander of the 11th Canadian Infantry to 12 days. An enquiry was subsequently held as to what disciplinary action had been taken in connection with the loaded revolver lying unattended on the table in the orderly room.

Ben rejoined his battalion at the end of March 1917. In April he was treated at No 12 and No 13 Field Ambulances for “disordered action of the heart”. After treatment he rejoined his battalion in the vicinity of Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France. Here at the Triangle, between Souchez and Angres, private 703364 Dawson was killed in action on 6 June 1917.

Benjamin Dawson is buried in Villers Station Military Cemetery, south west of Aix Noulette in France. He was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Gateshead

Birth date: 19-Nov-1874

Death date: 06-Jun-1917

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 47 Park Lane, Gateshead (1881 census)
10 Whitehall Road, Gateshead (1891 census)
6 Whitehall Road, Gateshead (1901 census)
914 Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia (1916 enlistment papers)

Religion: Church of England

Employment: Junior clerk, county council (1891 census)
Electrician (1901 census)
Gas electrician (1916 enlistment papers)

Family: Parents: Thomas Dawson, Sarah Jane Dawson nee McLeod
Siblings: John Dawson, Anne Dawson (died in infancy), Mary Eleanor Dawson, Isabella Jane Dawson

Military service:

Durham Light Infantry (pre-war)
703364
Private
102nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force

Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Villers Station Military Cemetery, Aix Noulette, Pas-de-Calais, France

Gender: Male

Contributed by Jean Longstaff, Durham