James Arthur Dawes

June 16, 1866 (age 55)

They do not appear to have had children. From the outset of the First World War, Dawes served with the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve raising to the rank of acting Commander by 1918. He was engaged in mine-sweeping operations and from July 1918 he served at the Admiralty. Unsurprisingly, one of Dawes recreations was yachting. Dawes had a home in Kennington Park Road in Southwark. He took a strong interest in local affairs and was Chairman of the Vestry of Newington, the equivalent of a Parish council, from 1897-1900. Dawes was then the first Mayor of the Borough of Southwark from 1900–1901 and Deputy Mayor the following year. He was re-elected Mayor in 1913-1914 and 1914-1915. In 1911 Dawes was appointed to the Joint Committee of the two Houses of to consider the Bill promoted by the Metropolitan Water Board to construct a series of new works and reservoirs on the River Thames at Staines. From 1912-1914 he was Chairman of the Insurance Committee for the County of London, created to administer the medical aspects of the National Insurance Acting of 1911, which for the first time established compulsory contributory insurance against illness and unemployment for workers. Dawes Street, London Southeast 17 was named after him to commemorate his appointment as the first Mayor of the Borough of Southwark. By 1908 Dawes had been selected as prospective Liberal candidate for Walworth in succession to Charles James O"Donnell who had decided not to contest the next election. Dawes was duly elected as Liberal Member of Parliament for Walworth at the general election of January 1910. He held the seat with a slightly increased majority in December 1910. In 1918 his constituency disappeared in boundary changes but he was selected for the new local constituency of Southwark South East. He fought the 1918 general election as a Coalition Liberal, that is as a supporter of the Coalition Government of Prime Minister David Lloyd George. On 9 November 1921 Dawes was chosen as Mayor of Dartmouth in Devon where he had his country home. His appointment was not to last long however as he died on 14 November 1921 at Sydenham at the age of 55 years. Dawes was buried in the churchyard at Perivale, a suburb of Ealing.

James Arthur Dawes

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Member of Parliament

Background

James Arthur Dawes was the son of Richard Dawes of Castle Hill, Ealing, Middlesex, a solicitor in Angel Court, Throgmorton Street, London. Dawes qualified as a solicitor in 1891 and was admitted in his father’s firm, Mssrs.

Education

He was educated at Harrow School and University College, Oxford where he gained Master of Arts and Bachelor of Civil Law degrees.

Career

They do not appear to have had children. From the outset of the First World War, Dawes served with the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve raising to the rank of acting Commander by 1918. He was engaged in mine-sweeping operations and from July 1918 he served at the Admiralty.

Unsurprisingly, one of Dawes recreations was yachting.

Dawes had a home in Kennington Park Road in Southwark. He took a strong interest in local affairs and was Chairman of the Vestry of Newington, the equivalent of a Parish council, from 1897-1900.

Dawes was then the first Mayor of the Borough of Southwark from 1900–1901 and Deputy Mayor the following year. He was re-elected Mayor in 1913-1914 and 1914-1915.

In 1911 Dawes was appointed to the Joint Committee of the two Houses of to consider the Bill promoted by the Metropolitan Water Board to construct a series of new works and reservoirs on the River Thames at Staines.

From 1912-1914 he was Chairman of the Insurance Committee for the County of London, created to administer the medical aspects of the National Insurance Acting of 1911, which for the first time established compulsory contributory insurance against illness and unemployment for workers. Dawes Street, London Southeast 17 was named after him to commemorate his appointment as the first Mayor of the Borough of Southwark. By 1908 Dawes had been selected as prospective Liberal candidate for Walworth in succession to Charles James O"Donnell who had decided not to contest the next election.

Dawes was duly elected as Liberal Member of Parliament for Walworth at the general election of January 1910.

He held the seat with a slightly increased majority in December 1910. In 1918 his constituency disappeared in boundary changes but he was selected for the new local constituency of Southwark South East.

He fought the 1918 general election as a Coalition Liberal, that is as a supporter of the Coalition Government of Prime Minister David Lloyd George. On 9 November 1921 Dawes was chosen as Mayor of Dartmouth in Devon where he had his country home.

His appointment was not to last long however as he died on 14 November 1921 at Sydenham at the age of 55 years.

Dawes was buried in the churchyard at Perivale, a suburb of Ealing.

Achievements

He also served as a founder member of the Metropolitan Water Board in 1903-1904. He presumably received the Coalition Coupon because he was not opposed by a Unionist candidate and won in a straight fight with Labour. His death caused a by-election in Southwark which was won by Thomas Ellis Naylor for Labour.

Politics

Liberal.

Membership

30th United Kingdom. 31st United Kingdom

He was later elected as a member of the London County Council for the Progressive Party for Newington Walworth for various years between 1906 and 1913.

Interests

Yachting; takes great interest in swimming.

Connections

Father:: Richard Dawes

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