William Dawson - Surveyor - Where did he really die? circa 1870

[Kisschick64]

Need help with finding the real death place of William Dawson. B 2 May 1817 in Woolwich England. He was a surveyor with the Royal Sappers & Miners and came to Australia as a surveyor. His wife was Margaret Leary. He deserted her and returned to the UK. Maybe around the death of his mother in 1859. It is thought that he returned to Australia and later died in a Yarra Glen Asylum on 2 Jun 1870. I don't believe this was him. He was visited at the asylum by a brother named Matthew. Research has been done on this and has led to a different family. Further research has found a William Dawson in the UK who married a Mary Caroline Salmon and had a daughter Mary Dawson. It is believed that this might be our William Dawson. No divorce has been discovered so we are presuming he committed bigamy. This William died oct 1903 in Portsmouth Hampshire.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[rosie99]

Mary Caroline died in West Ham reg district
Deaths Sep 1908 
DAWSON    Mary Caroline    age 83   
W. Ham    4a   121

Does her death certificate indicate she was a widow

ADDED I see that in 1901 they were living in Ivy Street, Portsmouth
Piece   1003 f117 p26
His occupation retired foreman from the Royal Arsenal

[rosie99]

Newspaper reports of his 1903 death confirm he is of Ivy Street and formerly Woolwich
Portsmouth Evening News 09 December 1903

Do you have both marriage certificates to confirm his fathers details

[hanes teulu]

On the 1881 Census William's occupation is "Foreman of Examiners Rl(?) Arsenal".

Had you seen the 1861 Census? (reference RG09  408  119  10)
William Dawson, Br. in Law, age 43, occpn. Shell examiner, born Woolwich.

Was "your" William the William Dawson, Royal Sappers and Miners, discharged Adelaide, 6 May 1856?

[hanes teulu]

William and Mary Caroline wed Mar Qtr 1880, Woolwich.

Mary Dawson, born about 1871 (age 10 on 1881 Census) was born Plumstead. Plumstead falls in the Woolwich Reg District and the only GRO registration I can spot is -
Mary Dawson, Mar Qtr 1871, Woolwich, 1D 966 - mother's maiden name Mathews 

[Kisschick64]

Yes my william discharged Adelaide.
1861 census definitely him as that is his sister rebecca
1881 census is possibly him remarried...
The marriage cert between william and mary salmon says his father is benjamin dawson tailor...which is correct...

[rosie99]

The newspaper articles about his death give no indication as to the place of his burial.

[debzdream]

William left his wife with all those Children in south Australia he went back to England he remarried no sign of a divorce he had his pension transfer back over to him in England and remarried Mary over there

[debzdream]

you are all got it right its the same William Dawson  and i think even now family members are still looking were he is buried  hope someone finds him