Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Herbert was born on the 27th June, 1907, at Exeter, in the Port Adelaide area, on the LeFevre Peninsula, to Thomas James and Sarah Ann Dawson. Herbert (Herb) was one of four children, having three sisters, Zillah Rosalind, Hazel and Vera Jane. The children attended the local Atherton School.
With the outbreak of WWI, Herb had just turned eight when his 39-year-old father enlisted on the 4th August 1915. He became number 3081 with the 27th Battalion Reinforcements. Soon after arriving in France, Thomas contracted influenza and was hospitalised before he was then able to re-join his battalion in Belgium on the 23rd September 1916. Within three months, Thomas was reported as missing whist in France on the 18th November. He was finally confirmed as having been killed in action. His record lists the meagre personal belongings of a brush, Strop, needle case, scarf, testament, Cap Comforter, fly net and cigarette holder which were eventually returned to his family. His death was devastating news for Sarah and their young children. Early the following year she was appointed as a trustee for each of the children who were granted a fortnightly pension. Herb’s was 15/- per fortnight, with Rosaline and Hazel receiving 10/- and Vera 20/-. As a war widow, Sarah received 2 pounds.
Thomas’ grieving mother announced his death in the Express and Telegraph on the 7th November ’17 ‘DAWSON.-On the 16th November, killed in action in France, Private T. J. Dawson, eldest beloved son of Mrs. G. Baker, Glanville. Always good, true, and kind, he was a son hard to find. Asleep with his comrades in a soldier’s grave; Somewhere in France, along with the brave. Inserted by his loving mother, brothers and sister.’ In later years a headstone commemorating his service was placed in the Cheltenham Cemetery.
In the ensuing years on the anniversary of her husband and the children’s father’s death, Sarah placed a tribute in the newspaper.
Chronicle Saturday 23 November 1918, DAWSON.—In loving memory of our dear husband, and father, No. 3081, Private T. J. Dawson, killed in action, November 18, 1916. Silently, peacefully, angels have borne him, Unto the beautiful mansions above; Where he is waiting and watching for loved ones, When the call comes to join him above. —Inserted by his sorrowing wife and children, Exeter.
Advertiser Tuesday 18 November 1919, DAWSON.—In loving memory of Private Thomas J. Dawson, killed in action, November 18, 1916. Now the heroes are returning, And the victory is won; No one knows how my heart is aching, To think he will never come. Inserted by his loving wife and children, Exeter.
Advertiser Thursday 18 November 1920, DAWSON.—In loving memory of my dear husband. T. J. Dawson. No. 3081, killed in France, November 18, 1916. God claimed our darling from our home, But never from our hearts; God will clasp the broken chain Closer when we meet again. Inserted by his loving wife and children, Exeter.
Chronicle Saturday 26 November 1921,-Private T. J. Dawson, killed in Action in France, November 18, 1916. The world may change from year to year And friends from day to day; But never will the one I love From memory fade away. Inserted by his sorrowful wife and children.

Post school, Herb worked as a mill hand with the Adelaide Cement Co., at Birkenhead. He married Margaret Ellen, with the young couple living in Sandwell, now called Birkenhead. Despite, or because of, the death of his father whilst serving his country, 33-year-old Herb also followed in his footsteps when WWII began, enlisting on the 25th June 1940. He was allocated the number SX6766 and was placed in the 2/48th Battalion.
Herb’s early days were spent in the Motor Pavilion of what is now the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. His ‘bed’ was straw filled hessian on wooden pallets. The new soldiers then moved to train in the Adelaide Hills before they had brief pre-embarkation leave. The battalion finally boarded the Stratheden for the Middle East, arriving on the 17th December then marched to a Staging Camp. Within weeks, Herb contracted mumps spending almost a fortnight in hospital.
Almost immediately, the 2/48th Battalion was involved in intense conflicts where their reputation for being the most highly decorated but decimated battalion was earned. Herb was to become one of the respected and famed Rats of Tobruk.
In his book, Tobruk to Tarakan, John Glenn described the heavy shelling the Battalion had faced in September ’41. He wrote that ‘enemy mortars in this sector had been very active, and in an effort to silence them our mortars moved well forward and conducted a very successful shoot.’ Another casualty was R.M. Aitken, of C Company, who stepped on a mine and was badly wounded.’ However, shelling continued to harass the men, and during the next five days, SX7215 John Woodall, SX10909 Bill Southern, SX10570 Herb Ashby, SX6766 Herb Dawson and SX8268 William McKay were wounded. Herb, having sustained a gunshot wound to his left ankle, and the other injured men were evacuated to hospital. Herb continued to recuperate, but it was not until February the following year that he was able to rejoin the 2/48th.
Back home, the October issue of the Chronicle announced Herb being wounded. The newspaper also included the names of others from Herb’s battalion with Private Robert Aitken SX7616 from Glossop and Charles Harding SX7796 both dying of wounds. The Advertiser also carried a brief summary of his service ‘Private H.C. Dawson, husband of Mrs. Dawson, of May street, Sandwell, has been wounded in action. Only son of Mrs. Dawson of Fletcher road, Largs Bay, he was employed by the Adelaide Cement Co., Birkenhead, until his enlistment in June, 1940. He sailed for overseas in November.’ The Mail also carried Herb’s photo.
Inevitably, Herb’s medical classification was that he was ‘fit for duties other than active service with field formations’ – a soldier needs to be able to march for long distances. By October ’42 Herb had left the Middle East and returned to Australia via Freemantle, then home to South Australia on leave. His role then changed until his discharge on the 15th November ’43.
His mother, Sarah, lived to see him return from the conflict. Aged 68 she died in June ’50 and is remembered with her husband and Herb’s father, Thomas at Cheltenham Cemetery.
Herb lived to be 69. He died on the 2nd November 1979 and his service is remembered in the South Australian Garden of Remembrance, Pasadena.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.