A GREYWELL serviceman who died 99 years ago has been commemorated by a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) headstone.

At a ceremony on Wednesday last week at Greywell St Mary’s churchyard Thomas Dawson was honoured.

The former Army Service Corps driver died at the age of 41 on September 10, 1918, at Park Hospital in Lewisham after being evacuated from France suffering from the effects of gassing as well as tuberculosis (TB).

Born in Hartley Row, Yateley, in 1878, Dawson joined the 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment aged 19 and served through the Boer War and returned to England in 1902, taking his discharge 1911 after 12 years’ of service.

It was almost 109 years ago that he married his wife Amelia Perry, with whom he had two children, Doris Amelia and Thomas William James.

In February 1915 now based in Greywell, he volunteered in the Army Service Corps specifically for the horse-drawn transport section of Kitchener’s 2nd New Army.

Departing for France in July 1915 he spent the next three years driving the same pair of horses on active service, being stationed firstly at the Main Base Supply Depots around Boulogne and Le Havre until October 1917, delivering provisions and supplies to the Army in France and Belgium.

He was then transferred to the Divisional Supply Train of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, which was involved in some of the most ferocious battles of the war.

His role involved supplying troops in the forward area of battle, with food, clothing, ammunition and supplies. Much of the resupply was done at night and under artillery fire, on badly damaged and congested roads, described as “dangerous work in an open horse drawn wagon.”

According to his medical records Tom was ‘slightly gassed’ on May 25, 1918, at Poperinghe near Ypres and this is when his health began to break down. His health deteriorated as the gassing aggravated his TB, and after being visited by family, he was then transferred to Lewisham where he died.

The CWGC was not informed at the time of Thomas’ death, meaning he never received a Commission headstone.

However, his case was highlighted by family members to the CWGC and the commission confirmed that Thomas should be accepted for a special headstone and also to be put on the Debt of Honour.

Samantha Daynes, UK media manager for CWGC, added: “We are extremely pleased to be able to give Thomas a Commission headstone and to commemorate him for his sacrifice.

“Many men and women who lost their lives during both world wars weren’t recognised as war casualties due to the fact they passed away when they came home and the CWGC weren’t informed at the time.

“However, we now know many died from illness or injuries sustained during battle, so it is only right that they should be honoured in this way.

“As Thomas’ case proves, it’s never too late to commemorate those who gave their lives. Whether they died on the battlefields far from home or back on British soil, they must all be remembered.”