Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Bt. Col: F. Dawson. 1st M.N.I.) good extremely fine £500-£700

C.B. London Gazette 1 March 1881.

Francis Dawson was born on 14 June 1827, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, into the 60th Foot on 26 July 1844. Appointed Adjutant on 18 August 1854, and Instructor of Musketry on 29 June 1856, he was advanced Captain on 23 March 1855 before transferring in that rank to the Madras Staff Corps in February 1862. Promoted Major on 26 July 1864; Lieutenant-Colonel on 26 July 1870; and appointed Brevet Colonel on 1 March 1875, he served with the 1st Madras Native Infantry during the Second Afghan War. For his services in Afghanistan, Dawson was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath. He transferred to the Unemployed Supernumerary List on 2 July 1885, and was advanced to his ultimate rank of General on 1 April 1894. He died in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on 26 December 1911.