If this were my purchase and I intended to tour, I'd be looking for a triple crankset (52-42-28 is my favorite) and front derailleur capable of shifting it if necessary, a 14-28 Ultra 6 freewheel and a capable rear derailleur. I am assuming that bike has 120 mm rear dropout spacing. I might well spread it to the 126 standard and go 14-18 7-speed and have a better choice of freewheels. That would require a new axle and spacers for the rear wheel or perhaps a new wheel with a freehub - better because the hub drive-side bearings are out at the end and the axle will be far more resistant to breaking; something that 126 spaced FW hub axles are well known to do.

So, yes I am suggesting a fair amount of work and expense, but that is because I view that frame as a very worthy place to start. (The Peter Mooney of my user name started as a 53-42-28 X 13-19 15-speed and evolved to a 50-38-24 X 12-21 21-speed. Spacing went from 120 to 126. It is currently a fix gear but if I tour, I might go to 130 spaced 9-speed, 53-42-26 X 12-28.) The Mooney is a frame of not very different geometry from your Dawes.

Ben