Joseph Anthony Dawson (1946 - 1978)

Born 19 Mar 1946 in Fitzwilliam, Yorkshire, England

Died 3 Jun 1978 at age 32 in Mtoko District, Rhodesia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Andrew Field [send private message]

Joseph Dawson was Killed in Action during Rhodesian Bush War.

Biography

Support Unit Badge

Birth & Upbringing: Joseph, who was more commonly referred to as "Tony" was born at Fitzwilliam, England in 1946. he was the son of John Dawson and Mary Hilterman. He has a brother John and a sister, Pauline.
Family: Tony married Deborah Edden.
Migration: Tony emigrated from the United Kingdom with his family after the war departing Southampton, destined for Capetown on the Winchester Castle. ^[1]
Education: Tony was educated at Kings School, St Aidan's College, Grahamstown, and at Maritzburg College. He later studied at the University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg) where he read accountancy.
Military: Tony did his National Service in South Africa with the South African Defense Force at the Army Gymnasium, Pretoria. The BSA Police was very much a para-military service and was the nation's first line of defence. Young policemen were thus thrust into armed conflict during the insurgency of the later 1960's and the decade which followed. Those who appear on the BSA Police Roll of Honour (War) are afforded full military honours in the true sense.
The Support Unit of the British South Africa Police was a military organisation of Brigade strength and it sole purpose was to participate as infantry in anti terrorist insurgency operations alongside the Rhodesian Army. The Support Unit was a highly successful disciplined unit.
Sports: He excelled in rugby, hockey, water polo and sailing, both at school and during police training. In 1966 and 1967 he played lock for Natal Under-20s and in 1968 represented the Natal Duikers. Tony played for the Rhodesian national rugby team in 1974 and 1975. He won the BSAP Sportsman of the Year Trophy in 1973.
Occupation: Policeman - joined the BSA Police in April 1969; Reg.No.8231; served until June 1978. He was posted to Highlands, CID Salisbury, Rhodesville and Salisbury Central Traffic, before transferring to Support Unit as Troop Commander. Tony was also a member of the sub-aqua team.
Demise: Killed in action - vehicle ambush while serving as a Inspector with Support Unit in Mtoko District (Operation Hurricane).^{[2] [3]}
Burial: Joseph Dawson was buried at Warren Hills Cemetery on 7 June 1978 following a military funeral ceremony. ^{[4] [5]}

Research Notes

• Some birth date estimates are based on ages given at death.
• This profile is Work in Progress Field-4274 10:56, 1 October 2019 (UTC)

Sources

1. ↑ Passenger Lists Leaving UK" Database with images. findmypast.com Winchester Castle Departure Southampton destined to Cape Town, South Africa citing Union Castle Line Steamship CC
2. ↑ Andrew Field: BSA Police Roll of Honour BSAP Website
3. ↑ Obituary Notice Outpost 6/1978 Outpost Magazine: Journal of the BSA Police
4. ↑ Ibid. Obituary Notice Outpost Magazine
5. ↑ Find a Grave Index database with images familysearch.com citing Memorial ID 165302813 for Dawson buried Warren Hills Cemetery, Salisbury

• Dawson Family Research