Admiral Dawson died of cerebral haemorrhage at the Command Hospital, Bangalore in October 2011.

Among his early assignments, Dawson served as the naval aide-de-camp to the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, during 1953–54.

Dawson was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) for his services and leadership during the conflict.

Promoted to vice-admiral on 1 April 1979,[10] he served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command.

In 1981, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for his distinguished service to the Indian Navy.

Dawson was promoted to Admiral and succeeded Adm R L Pereira as the 11th Chief of the Naval Staff, taking command on 1 March 1982.

After retirement, Dawson lived in Bangalore and Nagercoil and actively supported a number of environmental causes.

[14] Since 2005, he served as the president of the charitable organization, Anga Karunya Kendra, focused on supporting rehabilitation of disabled people.

The organization primarily supports patients with polio, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, as well as survivors of accidents.