Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte

Eight: Chief Petty Officer P. J. Dawson, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star J.38721 Boy 1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.38721 A.B. R.N.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (J.38721 P.O., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, these unnamed; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue ((J.38721 P.O., H.M.S. Vimiera) first three and last mounted as worn, first three with edge bruising, worn; others better (8) £220-260

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte.

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Philip James Dawson was born in Reepham, Norfolk on 9 March 1899. A Farm Boy by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 26 February 1915. Advanced to Boy 1st Class in August 1915. Served on the light cruiser Birkenhead, August 1915-March 1919 on which he served at the battle of Jutland. Promoted to Ordinary Seaman in March 1917; Able Seaman in April 1918; Leading Seaman in February 1921 and Petty Officer in May 1926. At the time of the Second World War he had attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. As such he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 25 June 1940) when serving on Versatile for services ‘on the Dutch coast’. In May 1940 the destroyer Versatile assisted with the evacuation of the Hook of Holland (Operation Ordnance). On 13 May she was damaged by an air attack and had to be towed to Sheerness for repairs.

With copied service paper, gazette extract and other research.