1843 –10/11/1936
Manager of London and North Western Railway
Research:
Plot 704 John Guy Dawson
John was born in around 1843 in Gravesend. It has not been possible to trace his early life, not helped by the conflicting names he gave for his father: at the time of his first marriage he named him as Colonel Robert Falke Greville, at the second as Robert Falke Dawson, neither of whom can be traced.
(There are a number of Robert Fulke Grevilles, all with aristocratic connections and with military rank, but the only possible one who could have fathered John was not in the country for some years at the time of his birth.)
In March 1851, aged 8, he was one of 51 “scholars” boarding at “The Paddock”, Hanwell, a school run by the Rev. James Emerton. There were also 6 boys over 17 described as “students”.
The 1861 census found him unmarried and a visitor at the home of James Gerrard in Harrow. Mr Gerrard’s occupation is shown simply as “railways”. Also visiting was Ernest Dawson, a clerk at the Admiralty Office and possibly John’s brother. Ernest was also at the school in Hanwell. John was shown as employed by the London & North Western Railway Company as a railway clerk.
On 6 May 1865 he married Elizabeth Jane Branscombe in Brixton, by licence. Her father was given as Thomas Branscombe, gentleman.
Their daughter Mary Minnie was born in Bushey in 1868 and Mary E in 1870.
The 1871 census shows John living in Villiers Road, Bushey. He is shown as married, but Elizabeth was not at home. Their two daughters were with John.
Elizabeth Jane died aged 30 in June 1871 in Bushey.
John married Henrietta Stone, a draper’s daughter from Leighton Buzzard on 3 August 1874 and their son Ralph Herbert was born in 1877 in Berkhamsted.
Henrietta died in May 1880 and was buried 28 May. Although she is recorded in the Berkhamsted burial register, her resting place is not known.
In April 1881 John was living as boarder in Kittsbury Road in the home of the Cave family with daughter Mary Minnie and son Ralph.
In 1889 he was recorded as proposing a candidate for the County Council elections.
His address was Fern Villa, 34, Kittsbury Road from at least 1890.
In 1891 he was living in Kittsbury Road with Minnie and Ralph, employing Ann Cave as housekeeper. Her daughter Nellie also in the household.
In 1901 his unmarried daughter Minnie was living at home and they employed a live-in domestic servant.
John retired 31 May 1906 from “the service of the London and North Western Railway Company on account of the age limit. As long ago as May 1862 Mr Dawson was transferred to the General Manager’s Department…Mr Dawson is well known throughout the length and breadth of the line, and on his retirement has the good wishes of a large circle of friends for many years of continued health and happiness.” Railway News 26 May 1906. There is a rather dark photograph showing a well-built gentleman with a balding head and a white beard and moustache.
John died 10 November 1926 at 39a, Kittsbury Road. Buried 13 November 1926 aged 87. It would appear that he had remarried again, although this has not been traced – probate was granted to Mary Dawson, widow.
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