Eric Inger Dexter
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- Military History
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Eric was the son of Arthur Harry and Catherine Dexter and the brother of Richard Frederick Kinsey (b. 13 July 1892, died 1962), Harry Vincent (k. 24 May 1917), Horace Cyril and John Millington Dexter.In 1911 they lived at Bulcote, near Southwell, Nottinghamshire, and later at 5 Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. Arthur Dexter was a cigar manufacturer who was born on 9 October 1862 and died on 28 March 1915 at the age of 52.At the time of Eric's death his mother was living at 5 Carlyle Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. She died on 27 December 1938 aged 69 years.Eric's brother, Harry Vincent, was killed on 24 May 1917 while serving with 43rd Bn Canadian Infantry.
9th Northumberland Fusiliers and transferred to the 16th Training Squadron Royal Flying Corps later the Royal Air Force. He was killed at Lincoln while on a training flight in a Sopwith Scout B. 1706. He was buried in Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery on 8 May.
Inscription on family headstone, Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery: ‘In loving remembrance of Arthur Harry Dexter, born Octr. 9th 1862, died March 28th 1915 thy will be done. Also of Catherine Gertrude wife of Arthur Harry Dexter who died Decr 27th 1938 aged 69 years. Richard Frederick Kinsey Dexter, born July 13th 1892 died October (-) 1962. RIP. Also of Hilda Sofia Sjoblom, mother of Greta Dexter, died March 26th 1968, aged 94 years. In ever loving memory of Lieut Eric Inger Dexter RAF accidentally killed whilst flying, May 4th 1918, aged 22 years.'Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 29 March 1915 (also 30 and 31 March): ‘Dexter. On March 28th, Arthur Harry, beloved husband of Catherine Gertrude Dexter, after a severe operation, aged 52 years. Interment Church Cemetery, Wednesday, 2.30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Judgement taken from the Casualty Card held at RAF Museum, Hendon: “The cause of the accident was in our opinion, whilst Lieut E. I. Dexter was on duty on practice flying in Sopwith Scout B.1706 an error of judgement on the part of the pilot (Lieut Dexter) in that he, on making a vertical turn about 150 feet, side slipped into the ground.” Notice of Dexter's death published on 7th May 1918 in the Nottingham Journal and Express :- “DEXTER. – Killed May 4th, Eric Inger, Lieutenant Royal Air Force, dearly loved son of Catherine G. and the late A. H. Dexter, 5, Carlyle-road, West Bridgford. Internment, Church Cemetery, Wednesday, [8th May 1918] 4.30.”Above two items courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 7 June 1917 and 8 June 1917: ‘Dexter. Killed in action May 24th, 1917, Private Harry Vincent Dexter, Canadians, aged 22. We miss him most who loved him best. From his sorrowing mother and brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
