Gunner Percy Alex Dawson
Died of Illness in WW1
Date of Death:
Service Biography
Private Percy Alex Dawson from Athelston. He was conscripted into the army in the summer of 1918 and assigned to the 72nd Queens Battery in Kingston. After a brief period of training he was given what was called farmer’s leave; excused from duty until after the harvest was brought in. When the armistice was declared he was notified to return to Kingston to get his discharge. The barracks were overcrowded and he fell ill from influenza, which developed into pneumonia. He died in the hospital on the December 14th, 1918, at the age of 21.
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
3057996
Cause of Death (in war):
Died of Illness
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Field Artillery
Battalion:
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
21 years 3 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
21 years 10 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
21 years 10 months
Country Born:
Trade or Calling:
Farmer
Next of Kin:
Glen Elm, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
Religion:
Presbyterian
Place of Enlistment:
Kingston, Ontario
Was a Prisoner of War:
Height:
5 ft 9.0 in / 175 cm
Weight:
Chest:
36.0 in / 91 cm
Expansion:
3.0 in / 8 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Unknown
Place of Discharge:
Discharge Type:
Died in Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
229 days in service
Buried at:
Plot:
Links
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Gunner |
Canadian Field Artillery |
Army |
|
|
|
|
Available Transcriptions
| Type |
Date |
Published |
Headline |
| News Clipping |
|
|
Unveiling of the Soldiers Monument in Huntingdon |
Notes
The son of William Dawson, of Glenelm, Quebec
From the Huntingdon Gleaner, December 28, 1918
In last week's Gleaner the death of Percy Dawson was recorded. The circumstances attending his death are particularly sad. He
responded to the call for reinforcements last summer and was enrolled in the 72nd Queens Battery at Kingston.
After a brief period of drill he with others was given what was called farmers leave, that he is they were excused from duty until after harvest, a leave that was later extended. On the armistice being declared he was notified to return to Kingston and get his discharge. In company with several other lads who have got the like
order, he took the train buoyant and lighthearted, the first week of this month, expecting to be back before it ended. At Kingston he was examined and certified to be entitled to his discharge. The barracks was overcrowded and the young men were poorly housed. Whether that had anything to do with the number of them taking
sick cannot be said. At any rate, three from the neighborhood of Athelstan took ill of the flu. The one serious case was Percy's, which developed into pneumonia, dying in the hospital on the 14th. Instead of returning to his people with his discharge, his body came, in charge of his sergeant major. At the funeral his coffin was carried by his comrades in khaki. He was a bright, clean living youth, much liked by everybody. He was treasurer of the Athelstan Red Cross and made himself helpful in many ways. His removal at the early age of 22 is regretted by the community.
Additional Service Notes
Additional Next of Kin Notes
