William Ernest Dawson was born at Hordley near to Ellesmere in 1892. He was the third child of William and Mary Dawson; they would have eight children of whom six survived into adulthood. His father was an agricultural labourer and shepherd. In 1901 the family were living at New Cottage, Mile Oak near to Morda. William attended Maesbury National School. In 1911 he was working as a corn miller and at the outbreak of war was employed at Ellesmere Port Flour Mills.

William enlisted at Chester joining the Cheshire Yeomanry. He most likely joined 2/1 Bn – formed in September 1914 as a second line training and reserve battalion that did not go overseas. In July 1916, when many other Yeomanry units were reorganised, the battalion was converted to a Cyclist unit, it is probable that William transferred in the 2 Bn South Lancashire Regiment around this time. He was not awarded the 15STAR so did not arrive in France until 1916, probably as a replacement to 2 Bn Sth. Lancs.

Etaples Military Cemetery

William died of wounds on 30 October 1916 at a Base Hospital in Etaples. It is not possible to give an exact day he was wounded but 2 Bn had been heavily engaged during the fighting for Ancre Heights. In October they had occupied the old German lines in Stuff Trench to the south of the River Ancre and had been involved in the taking of Regina Trench and Stuff Redoubt on 9 October. Both actions were successful capturing 400 prisoners for only 188 casualties. The battalion was taken out of the line on 22 October and moved back to Doullen in the rear area. William was buried in Etaples Military Cemetery. His headstone reads- ‘Never forgotten by those he left behind’. He is also commemorated at Holy Trinity Church where he is listed as Trooper, Cheshire Yeomanry.

Acknowledgements.

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