'Irish Guards', Colonel Vesey Dawson, Irish Guards, 1900 (c)

Chromolithograph after Sir Leslie Matthew Ward ('Spy') (1851-1922), printed by Vincent Brooks, Day and Son Limited, published by 'Vanity Fair', 13 December 1900.

Vesey Dawson joined the Coldstream Guards in 1871. He took part in the Nile Expedition of 1884-85 and saw action at the Battle of Abu Klea 16-18 January 1885. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1897 and appointed to command the newly raised Irish Guards in 1900. From 1906 to 1908 he commanded the 15th Infantry Brigade at Belfast, and from 1908 to 1912 the 2nd London Division of the Territorial Force. He retired from the Army in 1914.