Neville Wilburn Dixon
- Family History
- Military History
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Neville was born in Doncaster in 1899 and was the son of Henry (Harry) Knight and Clarissa Frances Dixon (nee Wilburn). The CWGC record notes that he was a 'Native of Gringley-on-the-Hill, Notts.' In the 1901 census Neville (2) and his parents Clarrissa and Harry Knight, were living at 11 High Street, Doncaster, with Clarissa's widowed father, Arthur Wilburn (60), an upholsterer/decorator and lay preacher. In the 1911 census he was shown as a boarder and a scholar at Rutland Villa, 7 Love Lane, Gainsborough, with Edward Letts and his family. Edward was a schoolmaster and Clerk in Holy Orders. The later CWGC record gave his parents' address as 3 Arthur Rd, Gainsborough.
Neville enlisted in Gainsborough in March 1915 at the age of 16 years so must have lied about his age. He saw service in Gallipoli where he was wounded and was transferred to hospital in Cairo. Neville later served in France and saw action on the Messines Ridge in 1917. He was gassed at Loos in March 1918 and returned to England before rejoining his battalion in France in September. Neville contracted influenza in late October and died at the 45th Casualty Clearing Hospital of bronchial pneumonia on 10th November 1918, the day before the Armistice. He is buried in Awoingt British Cemetery, Nord France (grave reference IIID II).
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Harry Knight Dixon and Clarissa Frances Dixon, of 3, Arthur Rd., Gainsborough. Native of Gringley-on-the-Hill, Notts. Enlisted March, 1915. Educated at East Anglian School, Bury St. Edmund's'. Gainsborough News, 22 November 1918 :- 'Dixon N W Pte Lincolns' 'We regret to have to record the loss of Pte Neville W Dixon, another Gainsborough boy, the son of Mr & Mrs H K Dixon of 3 Arthur Road and late of Gringley on the Hill. Pte Dixon was one of those brave lads who felt the call of his country in the early stages of the war and joined up in March 1915 when only 16 years of age. After 4 months training in the Lincolns he was sent to Gallipoli where he received a gunshot wound to the knee which invalided him to the Palace Hospital in Cairo. In June 1916 he was called to France with many others and was present at Messines Ridge in 1917 and was gassed at Loos in March 1918 and was sent to England. On recovering he went to Ireland and to France in September last. Towards the end of October he was the victim of the influenza which turned to Bronchial Pneumonia and terminally fatal, in spite of the best nursing possible in the 45th Casualty Clearing Hospital on November 10th. 'Pte N Dixon was educated at the Gainsborough Grammar school, finishing at the East Anglia School, Bury St Edmonds and afterwards was apprenticed with Mr H C Lee of Silver Street. He was a bright and cheery disposition which helped him through many depressing circumstances and his many friends will regret that a career so full of promise has been thus suddenly ended. In the midst of the great rejoicing it is exceptionally hard for the parents, who having been looking forward to their boy's safe return receive instead the notification of his death, we are sure that everyone's sympathy goes out to this and any such cases in the neighbourhood.' Source, ‘Gringley a Tribute to the 24 ‘ published July 2014 by the Gringley History Club. www.gohistory.org.uk (Courtesy of Alan Hickman) Article published in the Gainsborough News” 3rd December 1920 :- In perpetuation of the memory of the members of the Wesley Chapel of Gainsborough who lost their lives in the Great War, a beautiful war memorial tablet was unveiled by Major Bell in the presence of a crowded congregation… The Wesley Chapel has a proud record, as no less than 68 names have been inscribed on a Roll of Honour, and to the memory of eight of the fallen a brass tablet has been erected in front of the rostrum. The Rev. J.P. Taylor Superintendent Wesleyan Minister, presided over Sunday's service, which was most solemn and impressive, and he was supported by the Rev. Canon Standen, M.A. Vicar of Gainsborough; ...The service was unique in the history of the Wesley Chapel, inasmuch as the ceremony commemorated the supreme sacrifice made by some of the members of the Church during the war, and also by the fact that a prominent Anglican Minister took part in the service for the first time. The members of the Urban District Council attended the service, as did also the local company of Territorials…, the St. John Ambulance Brigade… Major Molson, M.P. … congratulated the Wesley Chapel upon their record, and the 68 men who had returned and paid further tribute to the to the soldiers, particularly our “Glorious Dead”. Unveiling the tablet, while the congregation stood silent, Major Bell read out:- To the Glory of God, and in sacred memory of the under-mentioned Members of this Church and Congregation who gave their lives in the cause of Freedom during the Great War, 1914-1919. PHILIP CLAYTON NEVILLE DIXON ARCHIBALD F. HEWITT REGINALD MIDDLETON JOHN W. MORRIS ALBERT E. NEEDHAM HERBERT SUTER J. IRVINE TAYLOR M.C. “Greater Love hath no man than this” Major Bell then paced a laurel wreath at the foot of the memorial and immediately afterwards the Buglers of the Territorials sounded “The Last Post.” This was followed by a two minutes impressive silence, and then the service closed with the hymn “For all the Saints” and the Benediction.” [The brass tablet nor the Roll of Honour have survived] Above article is courtesy of Charles Anderson.
