Career
He worked on dock developments and electrical supply and traction projects throughout the British Empire, on the continent of Europe and in South America. Dawson developed an ability to converse in French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese and Russian. In 1902 Dawson moved to Sydenham, South London.
He received a commission in the Volunteer Force, rising to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and becoming commanding officer of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment.
Dawson was elected as Conservative Member of Parliament at the ensuing by-election. He held the seat at successive elections until his death.
He was described as being on the "right centre" of the Conservative Party. Dawson was an admirer of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, and in April 1938 he became chairman of the newly formed Anglo-Italian Parliamentary Committee.
In June 1927 Dawson operating from Saint Stephen"s House, Victoria Embankment, Westminster South.W.1. prepared a report, addressed to Sir Felix J. C. Pole, General Manager, Great Western Railway, Paddington Station, West.2.
Entitled Electrification of the Main Lincolnshire Taunton to Penzance and Branches West of Taunton. In September 1938 he attended the Inter-Parliamentary Business Congress in Warsaw. On his journey home he was taken ill with a heart complaint, and died in a Berlin nursing home on 24 September, aged 71.
