ALFRED CHARLES DIXON
29 October 1896 - 4 February 1916
At School 1906 - 1908
2nd Lieut 19th Lancashire Fusiliers
Alfred was born in Manchester, and in 1901, aged 4 was living at Alder House, Burford Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, with father Herbert, a Merchant Shipper, mother Helen, elder brother Thomas (Herbert), younger siblings Elsie and Arnold and 4 domestic servants. At School Alfred played football for the U-14 2nd XI, which unfortunately lost all its games heavily, and came 4th in the 80 yards U-11 race at the School sports-day. In 1911 Alfred was a boarder at Mill Hill School, the family continuing to live at Burford Road. By 1914, the family had moved to Berne Cottage, Heaton Moor Road, Stockport.
At Mill Hill Alfred was a member of the Officer Training Corps, being appointed Sergeant in March 1911. He was also a member of the school 1st XV and the Running Team. He left Mill Hill in December 1914, registered as a Matriculated Student of the University of London, and in March 1915, applied for a temporary commission in the 19th Service Battalion (3rd Salford) Lancashire Fusiliers.
The Battalion was formed in Salford on 15th January 1915. In March 1915 it moved to Penmaenmawr, near Conway and then on 21st June to Catterick, where it became part of the 96th Brigade, 32nd Division. On 28th July it moved to Ponteland, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and then on 5th August to Codford, near Salisbury Plain, for final training before deployment to France.
As a 2nd Lieut, Albert was in command of Platoon No. XIV, D Company. On 21st November 1915 the Battalion left Codford for Southampton in 3 trains, crossing the Channel at night," with lights out and escorted by a destroyer", arriving at Le Havre at dawn. From there, on the 23rd, they entrained to Pont Remy, some 5 miles south west of Abbeville, and during the next week marched
across country to Albert. The war diary stated "Nov 30th. Marched to our new fighting area - were allotted billets - these were situated in the town about 3 miles in rear of front German trenches. The town was being bombarded intermittently."
In the first couple of days, Officers and NCO's
went into the trenches for instruction from the 10th Essex and 8th
Norfolks, followed by platoons and then companies as the battalion
familiarised itself with life in the trenches. On 11th December the
Battalion took over the trenches opposite La Boiselle from the 10th Essex for its first tour
of duty in the front line. The trenches were in very bad condition, in
many places thigh deep in mud and water. On the 13th conditions worsened
as snow and a heavy frost were suffered. Finally, on the 15th, the Battalion was relieved by the 16th Lancashire Fusiliers and marched back to billets at Albert. Numerous cases of trench foot were reported due to the appalling conditions in the trenches, the war diary reporting that a great many men of C Company "had to be dug out but lost equipment". Throughout their tour the Battalion had been subject to sniping and artillery fire, suffering 6 casualties, 2 of whom died and were buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery. The Battalion provided working parties on the intermediate lines for the rest of December and also 2 platoons per Company to the trenches, attached to the 15th Lancashire Fusiliers, to familiarise themselves with the part of the line the Battalion was to enter next. At the end of December the Battalion moved back to the Divisional Reserve and commenced training.
On the 5th January the Battalion was transferred to the 14th Brigade, in the same Division and on the 14th relieved the 15th Highland Light Infantry in the front line opposite Thiepval. The left of the line was the River Ancre to the east of Hamel, the right being to the south east of Thiepval Wood. Here the trenches were extremely good and well drained and the Battalion had an easier time than previously. Patrols were sent out into No Mans' Land to check wiring and enemy positions and activity. On the 18th they were relieved by the 16th Northumberland Fusiliers and marched back to Brigade Reserve for cleaning and training.
On 1st February at 5.30 p.m. the Battalion took over the trenches from the 15th Highland Light Infantry, immediately setting to to repair the trenches and put out wire. On the 2nd, 3 patrols of 6 men each, including 2 bombers, went out from Point R25 a 5.3 under direction of Alfred at 6.30 p.m. to act as a covering party and listening posts for a working party strengthening the wire in that sector. They advanced to a sunken road and reconnoitred immediately in front. Seeing no signs of enemy patrols they took up positions along the road. The patrols returned safely later that night.
On the following night, the 3rd, Alfred again took out a patrol at 7.30 p.m. from Point R25 a 5.4 to act as a covering party. Unfortunately a German patrol was encountered, Alfred and one man were wounded, Alfred did not return and was reported missing believed wounded. His father and mother wrote several times to the War Office requesting information regarding Alfred but it was not until 10th August 1917 that the War Office was able to confirm that Alfred's disc and other effects had been forwarded to them by the Geneva Red Cross. Following the letter dated 3rd November 1916, below, his death was officially accepted by the War Office on 25th November 1916, no further reports having been received about him, and this was communicated to the family.
Alfred's officer file shows that attempts were made to establish his fate. 23 members of the 19th Lancashire Fusiliers were interviewed in hospital regarding their recollections of the incident. Although some rumour and speculation was noted, the general consensus of opinion was that he had been wounded and taken prisoner.
On 9th January 1918, the War Office wrote to advise Alfred's father that his effects had been returned by the German Government, comprising: Cigarette Case, Communion Card, Gold Ring, Mirror in Case, Tobacco Pouch, Whistle, Watch and Chain, Stud, Knife and Letter written by the Late Officer.
It is clear that this was the case and Alfred must have died during the night or the following day, as the Germans buried him in Miraumont Communal Cemetery, Row C, Grave 6, the date of death being confirmed as 4th February.
Miraumont is some 3 miles to the north east of Thiepval and remained behind the German lines until the end of February 1917, then was retaken on 25th March 1918 until the following 24th of August when it was taken by the 42nd (East Lancashire Division. The Communal Cemetery was largely used by German troops, including the burial of 27 Commonwealth servicemen.
On 9th January 1918, the War Office wrote to advise Alfred's father
that his effects had been returned by the German Government, comprising:
Cigarette Case, Communion Card, Gold Ring, Mirror in Case, Tobacco
Pouch, Whistle, Watch and Chain, Stud, Knife and Letter written by the
Late Officer.
THE HULMEIAN - December 1916
Old Hulmeians and the War
Killed in Action
Second-Lieutenant ALFRED C DIXON, Lancashire Fusiliers, was reported missing and wounded on February 3rd 1916, and his death on or after that date is concluded. He took out a party of bombers, and suddenly came upon an enemy patrol of superior strength. He engaged at once, but was hit almost immediately. He was very popular with the battalion and his grenadiers were devoted to him. He entered our School in April 1906 and left in July 1908, proceeding to Mill Hill School, where he was sergeant of the O T C, head of his house and in the School XV, taking also a high place in class. He obtained his commission on leaving Mill Hill in December, 1914, when just over 18. His cheerful and unfailing gallantry and modest bearing won him the esteem and affection of officers and men. His elder brother, Captain T Herbert Dixon, Manchester Regiment, was wounded in May last, but is now well and at the front.