Born in Holmfirth, then in the West Riding of Yorkshire, Dawson received an elementary education before becoming a dyer.
He was later elected to the union's national executive, and also represented the organisation on the Huddersfield Trades and Labour Council.
Like the majority of the party, Dawson was strongly opposed to World War I, joining the No-Conscription Fellowship.
He refused to serve in the military or undertake equivalent service, and so was imprisoned in Wormwood Scrubs,[4] finally being released in the summer of 1919.
[2][3] The NUTW in turn became part of the National Union of Dyers, Bleachers and Textile Workers, and Dawson continued in post.