Stan Gray has submitted the following:-
Alexander was born 29th September 1918 and was the son of George and Catherine, nee Routledge, Dawson.
George and Catherine had married in the Lanchester District in 1900 and in 1911 they were living at Mordue's Building Burnhope. Their family consisted of William (1907), John James, George and Frances Ann. The family had Hesleden connections and at some point moved back to that area.
In 1939 Catherine (1879), by then a widow, was living at Front Street Hesleden with Catherine(1915), Rhoda (1917), Alexander (1918 Colliery Engine Brakesman), Ruby (1921) and Marjorie (1922). Living with the family is Catherine's brother John W. Routledge - he had been a visitor in 1911.
Alexander enlisted and joined the Royal Engineers. His mother Catherine died in 1940.
Alexander died 30th November 1944 aged 26 years. He is buried at Berlin. His brother William Routledge Dawson was the administrator of his will.
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail 01/03/1945 reports-
Escape Bid in Germany
Reported Death of Hesleden Man
Miss R Dawson of Front Street Hesleden has been informed by the Durham Branch of the British Red Cross that her brother Sapper A. Dawson died while attempting to escape from a prisoner of war camp in Germany. Miss Dawson is inquiring through the war office for official confirmation.
Aged 26 Sapper Dawson has been a prisoner since Dunkirk. He was formerly employed at Blackhall Colliery.
Alexander Dawson is remembered at Hesleden on H124.01 and H124.06
