Born in Huddersfield on December 20, 1866, Charles Dawson died there in his 56th year on the 9th of this month of July, 1921.
He first learnt to play at the George and Dragon Hotel, and at the Central Liberal Club at Huddersfield, where he was engaged as a boy of 15. At the age of 16 he was put to learn the trade of heald and reed maker (connected with cloth manufacture), and when work was over he played in the evenings at bagatelle until he was old enough to use the billiard tables in public rooms, after which he advanced rapidly, especially (in those days) at pool.
Having served his apprenticeship he determined to devote himself to billiards, the cloth trade at the time being bad, through a weavers' strike, and he took up the management of the billiard-room at the George and Dragon, where he had first spotted the balls. The rest of his career up to his enforced retirement a dozen years ago, through an affection of the eyes, was one of strenuous match playing, of which the following is a resume:—
1888.— Engaged at Adega Billiard Hall, Huddersfield.— Dawson, 1,000; Kilkenny, 646.—Dawson, 2,000; A. Hughes (York), 1,871.—W. Laxson (Champion of Leeds, rec. 500), 2,000; Dawson, 1,900.
1889.—Dawson, 4,000; W. Laxson broke down at 3,990 all.
1890.—In Lancashire and Yorkshire Professional Tournament won 10 out of 11 games.—Made first. four-figure break (1,001 all in) at the Huddersfield Club.—Lost Lancashire and Yorkshire Professional Championship to A. W. Morgan by 125 in 3,000.—Defeated J. Watson (Newcastle, who made a break at his last visit of 1,075) in 6,000 all in by 10 points.—In an 18,000 up all in against G. Ryder (Manchester) made a break of 1,848.—At the Royal Aquarium, Dawson, receiving 2,000 in 9,000 (spot barred), beat Peall by 15; Peall's first defeat during two years.— Peall, 15,000 (all in); Dawson (rec. 3,000), 5,680. In this match Peall made his great record break of 3,304, and scored 15,000 in 49 innings.— Dawson (rec. 1,500), 8,000; Mitchell, 7,895; spot barred.—Dawson (rec. 4,000), 15,000; Mitchell, 9,559; all in.—Made first record spot-barred break (295) v. Richards.
1891.—Roberts, 12,000; Dawson (rec. 6,000), 11,949; spot barred.—Lost Lancashire and Yorkshire Cup to Diggle, by 626 in 3,000.—Became lessee of the billiard room at the Royal Aquarium.
1893.—Made spot-barred break of 698 on standard table.
1899.— Increased spot-barred record break on standard table to 722.—Beat J. North for Championship by 9,000 to 4,715.
1900.—Beat H. W. Stevenson for Championship by 9,000 to 6,775.
1901.—Lost to H. W. Stevenson for Championship, 6,406 to 9,000.—Beat H. W. Stevenson for Championship by 9,000 to 5,796.
1903.—Beat H. W. Stevenson for Championship by 9,000 to 8,700.