RFC 19 Squadron SPAD VII - F/Lt. Harold Dawson (New Zealand) 19th September 1917.

[Off_Winters]

Hi All,

A new skin I have been working on for RFC 19 Squadron SPAD VII flown by New Zealander F/Lt. Harold Dawson. 19th September 1917. I did this skin in memory of Harold, The inspiration for the skin being I have as part of my RFC/RAF collection his issued Memorial Plaque, RFC hat badge, A silk RFC post card and a picture post card of him in uniform.

I have uploaded the skin to the Haluters Skin Downloader page, just waiting for moderator clearance. skin name "Spad_7_19sqdn_H_Dawson_1917" in the SPAD 7 late section.

regards Rob.

 

Harold Dawson on right.
 

A silk post card Harold purchased depicting the RFC crest.
 

Harold Dawson's memorial plaque issued in 1926 to his parents.

Death notice picture from the Auckland Weekly News, 29/11/1917.
 

Harold Dawson was born at Gore, South Island of New Zealand on the 3rd of December 1895, son of William Taylor and Grace Marion Dawson. He received his education at the Normal School and Technical College. He was a prominent member of the Baptist Hockey Club, and the Young Men's Bible Class, and was well-known in athletic circles. Prior to enlisting he was serving an mechanical apprenticeship with Messrs Cooper and Duncan. He was 5ft 4¼ in tall with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and black hair.
 

Harold enlisted 17 November 1915 and was posted as a sapper with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He left with the Engineering section of the 11th Reinforcements for Suez but within a few days of arriving in Suez he had embarked again for France where he served as a motor 'dispatch rider for the signals company. Shortly after his arrival in France he was promoted to corporal, and this was followed by his transference to England, where he gained a commission in the Royal Flying Corps. He was one of three successful candidates out of the 350 who sat for the examination. He resigned from the NZEF to take up a commission in the Royal Flying Corp on 4 March 1917, later flying with No 19 Squadron. Since entering the Flying Corps he had been stationed first on the English Coastal Defense Stations, and then in France, where he had acted as pilot on scouting machine and on the battle planes.
 

Sadly he was KIA on 4th October 1917 during an Ground Attack Patrol at 8-15am when he crashed. He is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. He was 21 at the time of his death.
 

RFC's 'Field Service' form completed at RFC General Headquarters on 5 October 1917 it states 'Cause of death KILLED IN ACTION'. The document is held on his WO339 file.
 

The RFC Communiqués suggest that Dawson achieved three victories:
 

19 September 1917 - While searching for reported EA, four Spads of No 19 Squadron attacked and engaged six Albatross Scouts near Becelaere. Lieut H Dawson observed one of the scouts diving at his tail, so stalled his machine, with the result that the Albatross Scout shot past below, and Lieut Dawson immediately dived after him, and got in a good burst at close range, and the enemy machine went down out of control and crashed. I have this at 18:50 over Zillebeke; in Spad 7 B3618.

 

22 September 1917 - On the evening of the 22nd, 2nd Lt H Dawson, No 19 Squadron, drove down an Albatross Scout out of control. I have this at 18:55 over Gheluwe; in Spad 7 B3620.

 

24 September 1917 - In the evening, 2nd Lieut H Dawson, No 19 Squadron, attacked a two-seater Rumpler and shot it down out of control. I have this as 18:30 over Poelcapelle; in Spad 7 B3520.

[KG100_Brannon]

~S~

 

This skin looks wonderful !  Keep up the good work mate !  Cheers..