Menin Gate Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Robert Dixon was born at Wardley in 1889, one of 5 known children, all sons, born to William Dixon native of South Shields born 1845 and Mary Martin born 1847 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, whom he married at Gateshead, County Durham in 1880. William was employed at the colliery, in 1901 the family were living at White House, Heworth Lane, Gateshead, he worked above ground as a screener, son George (16) below ground as a putter, William (14) a trapper, John Robert aged only 12 was a scholar. John Robert married at Gateshead in 1913 Elizabeth Oxley, their son John Robert Jnr was born in 1916.
On the outbreak of war John Robert was employed as a labourer. August 31st 1914, aged 25 years and 8 months he enlisted at Felling, assigned as Private to the 10th Battalion until being transferred March 3rd 1915 to the 3rd Battalion Durham Light Infantry made up mainly of reservists who replaced the regular troops that had been sent to the front. The battalion left Newcastle for South Shields and Jarrow as part of the Tyne Defences although its main role was to train recruits for active service.
Due to an error on the part of the 10th Battalion D.L.I. communicating with the War Office upon their departure for the Western Front, having attached Private John Robert Dixon’s attestation details to the service number of a Private 18921 John Dixon, Durham Light Infantry, when said soldiers died of wounds, August 4th 1915, whilst on active service in France, a letter was sent in error to Elizabeth Dixon at 8, Browns Place, Felling informing her as to the circumstances of John Robert’s death. The error only came to light when the Matron at Etaples Hospital wrote a personal letter of condolence to Edith Ann Dixon of Whitehaven, the actual wife of the deceased. Edith wrote a damning letter of complaint to the War Office, August 17th 1915 and received a response by return expressing their deep regret she was not directly notified, explaining the circumstances and officially enclosing the necessary form notifying his death. Edith Ann Dixon must have been in shock for the loss of her husband while Elizabeth Dixon must have felt a great sense of relief that her husband for the time being was safe.
Private John Robert Dixon was struck off the battalion, October 24th 1915 for having deserted his Majesty’s Service and losing by neglect his equipment and clothing. Found guilty on both charges, February 8th 1916, he was sentenced to 6 months detention and stoppages of 30 shillings. Private Dixon’s sentence was remitted by 62 days, June 8th 1916 on condition he departed with the first available draft to the front, to that effect he was posted to the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) joining them in the field, assigned as Private G/19914 to the 10th Battalion, August 31st 1916. They participated at the Battle of Transloy Ridge October 1st-18th 1916 on the Somme, in 1917 during the Battle of Messines, June 7th-14th and Pilkem Ridge July 30th-August 2nd in Belgium.
Private G/19914 John Robert Dixon Queen’s Own was killed in action July 31st 1917 on the Ypres salient in Belgium. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 54,395 names of servicemen from the Commonwealth inscribed on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium which commemorates those who died on the salient up to August 15th 1917 and who have no known grave. He was 28 years old.
His widow Elizabeth as his sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 8, Browns Place, Felling, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Robert Dixon is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
