The published Naval General Service Medal rolls confirm William Dawson as an Able Seaman aboard the Bedford for the Battle of Camperdown on 11.10.1797 and in the same Rate aboard the Foudroyant for the Egypt operations of 1801. They do not, however, verify his presence at the action of 12.10.1798, one of just 74 such clasps recorded on the Admiralty roll. One man, moreover, with the same names, was entitled to a single 'Syria' clasp.