Thank you to Bernice Forsyth and Mary Day from Capel Local History Group for allowing Dorking Museum to publish their research. Thank you to Jane Anthony for additional research.
William was born in Dallington, West Sussex, the son of William and Harriet Dawes who both came from Sussex. By the time of the 1901 census the family is living at 23 Hunts Bridge, Capel. William senior was employed as a platelayer on the railway. They had seven children, 6 of whom were still living in 1911.
In 1911 William had already enlisted in the Oxford and Buckingham Light Infantry and was living in barracks at Cowley in Oxford. The second battalion was one of the first to land in France in 1914.
William was killed in action on 21st of October, 1914, possibly during the First Battle of Ypres aged 24 years.
At the time of his death his family is living at Railway Cottage, Capel.
He has no known grave. His name is amongst the other 54,000 on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres.
| Born | Dallington, West Sussex | |
| Lived | Capel, Surrey | |
| Son of | William and Harriet Dawes | |
| Enlisted | Chichester, Sussex | |
| Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry | |
| Number | 9396 | |
| Date of Death | 21st October 1914 | |
| Place of Death | Ypres, Belgium | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 24 | |
| Memorial | Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium |
