Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Benjamin Dixon affectionately known as Ben, was the youngest of his 4 siblings and the only son of John Dixon born 1851 at Philadelphia and Dorothy Charlton born 1859 at Plawsworth, both in County Durham, who were married at Durham in 1880. Newly married they settled at 12, Front Street, in the township of Brandon where John was employed as a coal miner. Daughter Mary Ann was born at Boyne in 1881, Catherine and Elizabeth Ellen, 1883 and 1890 respectively at Houghton-le-Spring where in 1891 they resided at 7, Quarry Row North. John continued his employment as a coal miner to support his family. Benjamin was born the following year, March 17th 1892 but unfortunately his sister Catherine Dixon died in 1901, only 7 years old. By 1911 at the age of 19 years Ben was working as a grocery assistant at Hetton Down, Coop Society, Elizabeth Ellen (21) was also employed by the Coop Society at Newbottle as a drapery assistant, Mary Ann (29) assisted her mother with household duties, John Dixon was employed by Lambton Colliery as a miner stone-man. They were living in 4 rooms at 26, Quarry Row, Houghton-le-Spring.
In 1914 Ben was still in the employ of the Cooperative Society and now living at 3, Glebe Terrace, Houghton-le-Spring, where he enlisted December 9th 1915 and was posted to Army ‘B’ Reserve. Mobilised, March 14th 1916 at Bishop Auckland he was posted as Private 4467 to the 1/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, which had departed for the front in April 1915 as part of the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division. When exactly Private Dixon departed for the front is unknown, however, he was posted whilst on active service as Private 250544 to the 13th Battalion D.L.I.
The 13th Battalion D.L.I. had been in France since August 1915 but moved to Belgium in late October 1916 as part of the 23rd Division. July 7th 1917, after the successful attack in June on Messines Ridge, the 13th Battalion was moved with the rest of the division to the trenches near Klein-Zillebeke and saw action in September during the 3rd Battle of Ypres on the Menin Road.
Private 250544 Benjamin Dixon was killed October 17th 1917. His mother Dorothy and sister Mary received monies owed to him by the Army in 1918. Awards; British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Private Dixon had been buried by his comrades on the battlefield. After the conclusion of WW1 at the request of the French and Belgians the clearing of the battlefields began and isolated bodies and small concentrations were brought into lager cemeteries for re-burial. Remains were found in 1920 at map reference 28 NE J. 4d. 90. 60, the original cross marking the grave was missing. The body was identifiable by numerals and Durham, also a disc, as that of Private Dixon, who was brought in for re-burial, January 24th 1920, along with others found strewn across the adjoining area, 8 unknown British Soldiers only identifiable as such by the remains of their clothing and a Private T. Mason of the Northumberland Fusiliers by his pay book.
Private 250544 Benjamin Dixon Durham Light Infantry was interred with all honour and reverence by an Army Chaplain at “The Butte’ Polygon Wood Cemetery, West Vlaandaren, near Ypres, Belgium, and is at rest grave XVI. A. 1. At the time of his demise in 1917 he was 25 years of age and single.
The death of John Dixon preceded that of his son in 1915, aged 65 years. Dorothy Dixon nee Charlton died aged 60 years during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1919 without knowing of her son’s final resting place. His sister Miss Elizabeth Ellen Dixon of 13, Glebe Terrace, Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, commissioned at a cost of 13 shillings 5 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Ben Laid His All On The Altar Of Duty Now He Lives With God.”
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Benjamin Dixon is remembered at Houghton le Spring on H132.02
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 291
