Dawes had a home in Kennington Park Road in Southwark. He took a strong interest in local affairs [5] and was Chairman of the Vestry of Newington, the equivalent of a Parish council, from 1897–1900. Dawes was then the first Mayor of the Borough of Southwark from 1900–1901 and Deputy Mayor the following year.[6] He was re-elected Mayor in 1913–14 [7] and 1914–15.