Heslop's Local Advertiser 22/12/1916
Canadian National Vimy Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Howey Dickerson was born May 28th 1883 at Byker, a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, the only son and one of 3 children. His father Thomas Dickerson Snr. native of Wells, Norfolk, born July 16th 1859 migrated to the north east with his family and prior to his marriage, December 25th 1881 in the parish of St John’s Newcastle to Ann Howey born 1863 at Wallsend, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he had been living, along with his 10-year-old brother Robert, with his married sister’s family at 44 Richmond Street, working as a brick maker. Thomas Snr moved his family to Heworth in about 1891, they were living in 1901 at Railway Houses, Heworth Village, he was employed as a carter at the quarry as was Thomas Jnr (17). In 1904 Thomas Howey married Mary Calvert, when his father passed away in 1907 Thomas Jnr. at the age of 23 was responsible not only for his wife but also his mother and sister Annie Bellinda who were living at 26, Portland Street, Pelaw. His mother Ann worked from her home as a dressmaker whilst Annie (20) was a packer at a drug store, Ann’s nephew James Tait (33) also resided with them, he was a colour maker at the paint works.
Thomas took the decision to emigrate to Canada, it is unclear if his wife originally left with him as when he enlisted January 19th 1915 at Newcastle, Ontario, joining the 50th Battalion Canadian Infantry as Private 434288 he declared not only that he had served in the 3rd Battalion Fusiliers for 5 years but that his wife, listed as next of kin, resided at 9, Wallis Street, Felling-on-Tyne. The 50th Battalion first sent 200 men to the front in 1915, they fought in Ypres and Festubert. When the main body of men arrived in England they underwent training near Bramshott Camp from professional soldiers of the British Army before departing as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, August 1916. The 50th Battalion, 4th Canadian Division finally reached the front line in September where they participated at all the major final battles on the Somme.
Private 434288 Thomas Howey Dickerson was originally reported as missing, believed killed and later confirmed as killed in action November 18th 1916. Information received stated that during Military Operations in the vicinity of Courcelette, France, he was shot by an enemy sniper as he raised his head from a shell hole. His body was buried by his comrades on the battlefield and recorded as map reference 57c.R.17.c.4.5., 1 mile W. of Le Sars and 41/2 miles S.W. of Bapaume, sadly it was destroyed during ensuing bombardments.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 11,169 names inscribed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, 8 kilometres from Arras, Pas de Calais, France, which commemorates all servicemen from the Canadian Expeditionary Force killed or presumed dead during WW1 and who have no known grave. Private Dickerson was 33 years old.
His widow Mary received his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. The death of Private Dickerson’s mother preceded that of his own, she died aged 58 years in 1915, registered in the district of South Shields.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 22/12/1916:
"Private Thomas H. Dickerson, of the Canadian forces, killed in action on Nov. 19th, aged 33 years. Husband of Mary Dickerson and only son of the late Thomas and Ann Dickerson of Heworth Village, and son-in-law of Robert and Martha Calvert, 9 Wallis Street, Felling."
He is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
