Ernest Dawes

Private Ernest Dawes (Service no: 4772) was born in Mount Kembla in 1893.

Prior to enlisting he was a 22 year old Postal Assistant. After enlisting in the AIF he embarked with 4th Battalion on the HMAT A15 Star of England on 8th March, 1916. On arrival in Egypt as part of the AIF reorganization on 20th April, 1916 he was transferred to the 56th battalion and served with them until the end of the war.

On the 3rd January, 1917 Ernest was promoted to Lieutenant/Corporal and by December had gone through the ranks to become a commissioned officer of Lieutenant.

On 26th September, 1917 he was wounded in action receiving a gun shot wound to his left ankle.

On 19th May 1917 he was awarded the Military Medal. A citation from the "action for which commended" reads:

          "During the Battalion's tour in the trenches opposite Reincourt from 13/17th May ... [Sergeant Dawes] who is the Battalion Signalling Sergeant, showed great gallantry and devotion to duty. He worked unceasingly for hours on the lines, also at times visiting Company Headquarters repairing telephones, thus ensuring that communication would be maintained. He was responsible for the duplication of all wires. Sergeant Dawes set a very fine example to all the Battalion Signallers".

Ernest Dawes returned to Australia on the 30th March, 1918 and was discharged on 14th August, 1918.

In 1919 he married Phyllis Johnson and raised a family. He died in Concord on 16th January, 1979.