Cause: Cause: Phthisis Pulmonalis
Location: Hamilton, Ontario

BX May 22, 1919

Private J. Dawson, War Vet., Dead – Died at Sanitarium on Saturday from Results of Gas

Private James Dawson of Brantford died at the soldiers’ sanatorium in Hamilton on Wednesday afternoon following a long illness, Pte. Dawson was only 21 years of age. He enlisted in the 125th Battalion, and while serving in France was gassed. 

He was in the firing line only about five months when he was a victim of the fatal fumes, and in December, 1917 he returned to Canada and for the last 21 months he has been in the sanatorium. Private Dawson was born and spent his life in Brantford. He was employed by Hunt and Colter, where he enlisted, a mere lad and he was well known as a genial young fellow among his associates. The remains were brought to Brantford today and on Saturday the funeral will be held to St. John’s Church with the war veterans in charge. The deceased is survived by his mother, Mrs. Thomas Creath, 88 Balfour Street, and one brother, A. Dawson of the city.

BX May 22, 1919

DAWSON – At Hamilton, on Wednesday May 21, 1919. Private James Dawson, son of Mrs. Thomas Creath, in his 22nd year. Funeral will take place from the residence of his parents, 88 Balfour Street. Date and arrangements not completed.

BX May 22, 1919

Double Funeral

Secretary of the G.W.V.A. stated this morning that he was endeavouring to arrange for a double funeral for the late comrades, Harold Bayley and James Dawson, the funeral to take place to St. Jude’s Church. A gun carriage was being secured and military honors would be accorded the remains.

BX May 26, 1919

With Military Honors Given – Remains of Comrades H.E. Bayley and James Dawson Interred

Two of Brantford soldiers who had given their lives in the great cause found a resting place in Mt. Hope cemetery under the Canadian maples, when the remains of Private Harold E. Bayley and Private James Dawson were laid away with full military honors. The wound received in the head by Pte. Bayley had proved beyond his mortal strength to overcome, and the results of a gas attack had weakened Pte. Dawson till both succumbed and passed to their rest.
    
The remains of Private James Dawson were taken from his mother’s home, 88 Balfour Street, to St. John’s Church and there Rev. E.C. Jennings conducted a short service. From the church the funeral procession went to the War Veterans’ home, whither Pte. Bayley’s body was also conveyed, and Rev. C.L. Bilkey and Rev. Mr. Jennings performed the last funeral rites in the presence of the soldier comrades, who had gathered out of deep sympathy and respect, and other friends.
    
Headed by the Dufferin Rifles band and Sergeant Hutcheon’s mount, with muffled drum the double funeral proceeded solemnly to Mt. Hope cemetery. The gun carriage was painstakingly made over to hold both caskets, and with their country’s flag draping them in honor, side by side, the two departed veterans were borne to their last camping ground.
    
Twenty-four soldiers pulled the gun carriage, and hard though it was through the heavy mud, it was done loyally. Behind the remains came the bearers, six comrades of the 125th Battalion for Pte. Dawson, Pte. Clarence Hawk, Pte. Chas. Dawson, Sergt. Robert McCartney, Pte. Ivan Brigall, Pte. Joseph McMains, Pte. Wilfrid Simons. Private Bayley, who belonged to the 15th Battalion, was followed by Pte. William Bingham, Harry Richardson, Jack Rowcliffe, Bert McGill. The city hall officials attended in a body out of respect to one who they always found reliable and helpful.
    
Private W. Beech sounded the Last Post and Sergt. Harry Carey was in charge of the firing party of 24 who gave the farewell salute to their fallen mates.
    
Beautiful flowers covered both caskets. Those laid in place by the sorrowing wife of Private Bayley were as follows: Pillow, by herself; wreaths, sister and brother, Archie and Lizzie; cross, Catharine and Tom; wreaths by Mayor, aldermen and officials of the city of Brantford; cross by the downstairs office staff of the city hall; broken wheel, from his comrades in arms, G.W.V.A.; sprays, Private W. and Mrs. Haggar of Toronto, a soldier chum, Sergt. T. Payne and wife, and brother, Pte. W. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Flaherty and Mr. and Mrs. R. Pace, Mr. and Mrs. G. Hair and Mr. and Mrs. J. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. N.N. Shiviges, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert, Mr. and Mrs. W. Payne, and Elsie and Ivy, Lucille and Baby Norman, T.J. Fair employees, Mr. and Mrs. W. Glover, Eagle Place Kith and Kin; Salisbury Lodge, S.O.E., Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. P. Whelem, Mr. and Mrs. A. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. LeComter and family, Mrs. Moor and Lily, Mr. and Mrs. J. Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Calder, Mr. and Mrs. Grant, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Whitten, Miss May Cleaves, Mr. and Mrs. J. Brown, Mr. and Mr. Sullivan and family, and “Billie.
  
In Private Dawson’s casket the flowers were laid by the following:
    
Pillow, the family; sprays, Mrs. Callis and Mrs. Dennis, Mr. and Mrs. Angus Wilson; sheaf of roses, Miss Richmond, Hamilton Sanatorium; Easter lilies, Mrs. Dyson; sprays, Ladies’ Guild, St. John’s Church, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Creath, Mr. and Mrs. Geo Hewson, Mrs. R.G. Ballantyne, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Raynor, Grace and Reginald Raynor, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Raynor, Mr. and Mrs. William Creath and family, Mr. and Mrs. James Wickson, Mr. and Mrs. John Cleator, Mr. and Mrs. O.J. Saunders of Hamilton; St. John’s Church; cross, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Dawson and family; spray, Mr. and Mrs. R. Silverthorne, Mrs. George Creater, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Unger, Sadie and Florence Keffer, Clarence and Charlie Hawke, Mr. and Mrs. Diltz, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Creath, Aunt Hattie of Buffalo; Uncle Aaron and Aunt Kate; sheath of wheat and roses, Cousins Theresa and Anna; wreath, Comrades Mt. Sanatorium; broken wheel, Comrades of G.W.V.A.