He began his career as an
ensign in the
20th Foot in March 1798 and was promoted to Lieutenant in December of the same year. On 24March 1800 he was promoted to captain in the
46th Foot before transferring to the
23rd Light Dragoons. After a spell as a major in the 4th Garrison Battalion and as a lieutenant colonel in the
10th Foot he returned to the 23rd Dragoons on 6April 1809. Dawson served during the
Peninsular Campaign and at the
Battle of Talavera.
Waterloo campaign After commanding his regiment at the
Battle of Quatre Bras on 16–17 June 1815, Dawson failed to appear at the head of his dragoons on the morning the
Battle of Waterloo a day later. The reason for his non-appearance is unknown but it has been speculated that he was advised not to go by a surgeon, that "he had betaken himself that same evening to Brussels or elsewhere." or through "the negligence of a servant, who from oversleeping himself was unable to call his master sufficiently early to be in readiness to discharge the proper duties of his military rank." Although he joined the
18th Hussars towards the end of the battle and took part in Major General Sir
Hussey Vivian's decisive charge, he resigned from the army shortly afterwards. ==Later career==