Information on Capt. W.A. Dawkins RE in the Great War

[dwmosher]

Hello

I picked up an officer's tropical SD tunic named to WA Dawkins with a date of July 1918 in the pocket. The buttons (George V) and collar insignia are for Royal Engineeers, with three rank pips on the shoulder straps. Additionally, the tunic has a rigid sewn-on ribbon bar indicating the MM and the trio. Any idea who this officer was (obviously, he started out as other ranks and was fighting the Hun back in 1914-15). Any help is appreciated.

Regards

Dave Mosher

[peter monahan]

Dave

Sorry no one got back to you! The Imperial war Museum has records, including medal entitlements for most WWI British servicemen. The medal 'rolls' give unit and dates served and might narrow down 'RE' a bit. Also, the London Gazette should have the citation for the MM, though I suspect it will just be a name in a long list, but at least you'll have an award date. The LG is available on line but the search engine is notoriously cranky, so if you don't get lucky at first, try and try again.

Hope this helps! Good luck with the hunt.

Peter

[dwmosher]

Thanks, Peter.

[Chris Boonzaier]

I tried on the ancestry records, but could not find him anywhere...

[paul wood]

Nothing on the London Gazette site, given its quirkiness I am not surprised. Will try an army list.

Paul

[paul wood]

Checked 1917 and 1919 army lists NO WA Dawkins.

Paul

[dwmosher]

Thanks Chris and Paul for your time. I couldn't find him in the London Gazette site either. I'll put a picture up of the SD jacket when I get time.

Dave

[Graham Stewart]

None to be found on the Medal Index Cards either.

Also tried the following combinations;-

William A.

Walter A.

Wilfred A.

Only one came up and that was 85957 Pte William Anthony Dawkins, 2nd Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers, who was Discharged and not Commissioned.

Only three Dawkins appear in the 1917 edition of War Services of Officers;-

Charles George Hereward Dawkins, Army Service Corps

C.T. Dawkins

E.W. Dawkins

There was also a Captain Harry Dawkins, K.G.O. Bengal Sappers & Miners.

But no W.A. Dawkins

Edited November 7, 2013 by Graham Stewart

[peter monahan]

What a shame! I wonder who he was.