The Dixon Family
Tyneside Scottish Badge
Acknowledgements: Margaret Allison.
Derek Johnstone has provided the following information:
James Dixon was born around 1876 at Bedlington, Northumberland. His parents were James Dixon, born at Sheepwash near Bedlington, and Elizabeth Mary Dixon who was born at Bothal Demesme, Ashington.
In 1881 James Dixon was five years old and living at Stakeford Lane, Guide Post with his family which included siblings Daniel, age six, and Margaret, aged four. His father was employed in the coal mines.
The 1891 Census shows his father, James Dixon, is 36, and his mother Elizabeth 35. James Dixon is 15 years old at this time and working as a miner and his family is living at Bothal Demesne, Ashington. Siblings in house include Daniel 16, Margaret 13, Isabella 6, Robert 4 and William 10 months.
In 1898, when James Dixon was about 22, he married Mary Purdy which was registered at Morpeth. By 1901 James Dixon and his wife Mary were living at Guide Post where he was employed in the mines as a coal hewer. They had one child, Annie aged one, who was born at Ashington, Northumberland.
James and his family were living at 175, Medway Street, Hirst, Ashington when the 1911 Census was taken. The children in the house at this time included Ann Gregory 11, Elizabeth Mary 9, John Thomas 5, Robert 3, Infant Dixon, Andrew.
James enlisted at Bedlington and was wounded on 4th July 1916. He died days later on the 10th July. Sadly, information from the granddaughter of James Dixon shows their grief was compounded after his death when Mary Dixon and all her children (see photograph) were put out of their house by the colliery landlords. Mary was given a canvas sheet which was put up between the colliery rows where she lived with her furniture, some of which she had to burn on the fire. One of the children died from pneumonia during this period. Mary Dixon's burden was eased when eventually she became a housekeeper.
Private James Dixon is remembered in Ashington on A17.01, (A17.27) and A17.43 and in Bedlington on B15.26 page 117
