Frank Eric Dawson, born in Ballarat and a Motor Mechanic by trade, enlisted in the 8th Infantry Battalion on 22 August 1914 at the age of 21. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914. On 17 May 1915 Private Dawson received a gunshot wound to the right leg in Gallipoli which resulted in his being transferred to Malta for hospitalization. He was discharged to duty on 7 April 1916 and rejoined his unit before being transferred to the Australian Mechanical Transport Service attached for duty to the Adjutants General Branch AIF HQ as a Motor Driver, where he served as a Driver until 1 September 1917 whereupon he was transferred back to the 8th Infantry battalion.

On 6 November 1917 he was transferred to England due to Trench Fever before embarking back to Australia on 27 January 1919. He received his final discharge from service on 28 March 1919.

Tree No. 183