Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph William Dixon, one of 9 children was the youngest of his 4 surviving siblings. His father George Dixon who was born in circa 1860 at Wark-on-Tyne, Northumberland married in the district of Morpeth, Northumberland, in 1885, to Frances Jane Richardson born 1862 at Newton-on-the-Moor, near Morpeth. The following year Frances gave birth at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea to their daughter Mary Jane, however they had moved to 203, Colliery Rows, Colliery Rows Village, Bedlington within 6 months of the birth of Frances Ann in 1891 at North Seaton, where George was employed as a coal miner. Ten years later they had moved again to Kenton Bank Foot, district of Castle Ward with their 4 surviving children including the youngest, born at Netherton, John George born 1893 and Joseph William 1896. In 1911 Mary Jane was in service as a second laundry maid in the home of John Shaw (67), described as, “a late colliery owner.” He and his wife Mary Jane lived alone at Welburn Hall, Kirkbymoorside, Yorkshire, consisting of 38 rooms, Mary was one of 8 members of staff. Her parents remained at Kenton occupying 2 rooms, George could now rely on his children to help support their mother. Francis Ann (21) worked on a farm as a field worker, John George (18) as an agricultural labourer and Joseph William (15) a milk lad.
When war was declared in August 1914 all regiments raised new battalions. Joseph William enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, November 5th 1914 assigned as Private 799 to the newly formed 22nd Battalion (3rd Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers. After initial training near Newcastle the battalion moved to Alnwick camp within the grounds of Alnwick Castle where along with the 20th/21st and 23rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers it formed the 102nd Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915. Taken over by the War Office August 15th 1915 the division moved to Salisbury Plain for final training and departed to France, January 1916. They concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer, after undergoing a period of trench familiarisation they were moved to the Somme in preparation for the forthcoming offensive due to commence June 29th 1916, which because of bad weather did not take place until July 1st 1916. At 7.28 a.m. July 1st 1916 two huge mines were detonated in the explosive packed tunnels under the German lines, one to the north, the other to the south of the village of La Boisselle, near Albert. The 22nd together with the 21st and 23rd Battalion was in support of the 20th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, July1st-13th, participating also during the Battle of Bazentin Ridge, July 13th-17th 1916 but did not participate at any other major battle on the Somme. At the conclusion of the Battles of the Somme the division moved to the Arras sector.
Having risen through the ranks the now Corporal 799 Joseph William Dixon Northumberland Fusiliers was a casualty on the first day of the Battle of Arras, April 9th 1917 and interred at Bailleul Road East Cemetery, St. Laurent-Blangy, Pas de Calais, France, begun by the 34th Division, grave I. D. 5. He was 21 years of age and single.
His mother Frances Jane received all monies due to him from the Army and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Joseph William’s sister Mary Jane died in 1923 aged 34 years at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, her mother Frances Jane Dixon nee Richardson in 1938 aged 74 years, father George aged 91 years in 1952, sister Francis Ann in 1955 aged 65 years and John George Dixon aged 66 years in 1959 all registered at Northumberland South.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Joseph William Dixon is remembered at Whorlton on W53.01
