No.5828413, Signaller, Charles DAWSON
Aged 23
medals unknown
6th Airborne Division, Royal Corps of Signals
Killed in Air Accident on Active Service on Tuesday, 7th December 1943
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Charles Dawson was born C 1920 (registration not found), son of Frederick Charles and Jesse DAWSON
(née ?). In the 1939 register, his father Frederick C [23-3-1861] a retired police constable and Jesse (recorded as married and born 1893), together with his sister ? Edith Mary [27-11-1914] were at "Broadview" Shudy Camps. The ex constable here was recorded in police records (1913) as married to Sarah.( believed to be Sarah Anne DAVIES). More puzzles, Edith Mary Dawson born Q4 1914 in Wharfedale had a mother née INGHAM, another marriage I cannot find) Charles apparently married Marjorie Winifred BISHOP in Leominster in Q2-1942 (later of Ebbw Vale) |
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Little has been found of his military life and cause of death. He rests with his father in Shudy Camps (St.Mary's) Churchyard and has a memorial plaque inside the church. His death was registered in Devizes. His death certificate is not much help,.the Army seemed reluctant to give exact cause of death, simply entering "due to War Operations" in Collingbourne Ducis, near Pewsey and his home address was still Broadview, Shudy Camps However further researched found on https://oldwinburnians.org.uk/taylor-p-d.html the following: Sgt Taylor was piloting a Hotspur Glider, which was towed off from RAF Netheravon, at 0930 hours during poor weather, and immediately flew into low cloud. He cast off from the tug, when still in cloud. The glider apparently stalled and he could not regain control before it crashed in a field near Collingbourne Ducis, some 5 or 6 miles from the point of take off and about 2 miles North of Tidworth. Phil is interred in Wimborne Cemetery. Five soldiers of the 6th Airborne Division Signals, who were in the glider, were also killed. The Hotspur glider was never used operationally as it was deemed to be too small (carrying only eight fully armed troops) and was therefore used for training purposes only.
the gravestone of Charles and his father click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
