WALTER DAWSON 1893–1916

Born 1893 at Kneeton, Nottinghamshire

Baptised 6th February 1893 – residence Nottingham

Killed in action 16th September 1916 at the Somme

Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial Part XII and Radcliffe on Trent War Memorial. Also remembered on the Memorial Board at Kinoulton canal, Notts.

1901 Census

Age 8 living with father, Joseph, farm worker, and mother Lavinia in Kneeton. His brother Henry born in 1894 was not living with the family in 1901.

1911 Census

Age 18 an apprentice butcher living with father Joseph, a shepherd and mother Lavinia at Main Road, Radcliffe on Trent

Military Service

Rank: Private

Service Number: 34774

Military Unit: 9th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters, 33rd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division, previously 17th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters

Theatre of War: France and Flanders

Enlisted in Newark

16.9.1916: Killed at the Somme during push on Thiepval Ridge.

From the Nottinghamshire Great War Roll of Honour:

‘On 16th September the battalion was in support of the 6th Lincolnshire Regiment who attacked and took Constance trench. During this action ‘D’ company moved up in close support of 6th Lincoln’s and two other ranks died, one being Walter. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme.’

During September, more than half of the 33rd Brigade’s casualties (600) were suffered by the Foresters.

The War Diaries of the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters provide a detailed plan for action on September 16th 1916, having bombed Constance Trench on the 15th, but do not report on the outcome.

2.11.16: Listed as “Missing” on Casualty List

Primary Unit – Sherwood Foresters and attached to King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)

Medals Awarded: British War and Victory

Go to WWI Timeline to see how this man’s death is part of the wider story of the war.

Reasons for inclusion on the Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

Lived and worked in Radcliffe on Trent

Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, photo taken by a member of Radcliffe WWI project team, 2015

Kinoulton Canal Memorial to the 183 men of the 9th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters who died between July 7th  and November 30th 1916 at the Battle of the Somme