The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection

Four: Major-General V. J. Dawson, C.V.O., Irish Guards, late Coldstream Guards, the first commanding officer of the Irish Guards 1900-07

Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 2 clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (Capt: V. J. Dawson. Coldm. Gds.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, semi-court mounted as worn, together with companion set of five mounted dress miniatures including a C.V.O., both sets contained in old Hancocks & Co. cases, nearly extremely fine (9) £2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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Vesey John Dawson was born on 4 April 1853, eldest son of the Hon. Thomas Vesey Dawson, an officer of the Coldstream Guards who was killed at Inkermann. He was educated at Eton College and joined the Coldstream Guards in October 1871, the first officer to come into the regiment under the new purchase regulations. He was A.D.C. to General Sir George Higginson while that officer commanded the Home District. In 1884 he went with the Guards Camel Corps to Egypt in charge of his battalion detachment, being present in the actions of Abu Klea and El Gubat (Medal with 2 clasps, bronze star). He also did much valuable work as a purveyor of building material when the regiment went into summer quarters at Dongola.

He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1897 as the first Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards, and in 1900 he was appointed to command the newly raised Irish Guards. He was made C.V.O. on 6 June 1902, on the occasion of the presentation of Colours by His Majesty to the Irish Guards. From 1906 to 1908 he commanded the 15th Infantry Brigade at Belfast, and from 1908 to 1912 commanded the 2nd London Division of the Territorial Force. Major-General Vesey Dawson retired from the army in 1914 and died on 17 January 1930.

Sold with research including several copied photographs.