Private Richard Gordon Dawes

Private Richard Gordon Dawes (5079, 21st Battalion) was a farmer from Korumburra, Victoria. He enlisted on 4 February 1916, four days after his older brother Charles and giving his age as 18 years. Richard died on 8 November 1916 as a result of wounds received the previous day during action in the trenches near Flers, France. His father later wrote that he was 17 years 10 months of age at the time of his death. Richard’s brother, Private Charles Dawes, was also serving in the 21st Battalion and died of wounds the day before Richard. Another brother, Corporal George Dawes, was killed at Gallipoli.