DAWSON, Robert

Prior to the war, in charge of the Territorials; Hallamshire’s 8n Y & L.  Then 4 & 5 K O Y L I. Mentioned in Despatches; London Gazette 1/1/1916 & 15/6/1916.  West Surrey Regt. (DC 8/1/1916; Colonel, late of Derwent House, Hathersage is temp Brigadier General on the headquarters staff). Given Command of the 39 Division, and therefore the man in charge at The Battle of The Boars Head, Richebourg, 30/6/1916. A largely forgotten battle as it occurred on the day before the Somme, and known “As the Day Sussex Died“ due to the slaughter of the Sussex Companies. He was side-lined by 1918. b 1862 Woodleigh, Devon. (Yorkshire Post 22/4/1913; ‘Mrs Dawson wants a cook Derwent House). (Cheltenham Chronicle; ‘Col R Dawson, Hathersage attends the funeral of Cyril Grant Cunard).