Frederic Arthur Dixon
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- Military History
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Frederic Arthur Dixon was born in 1886 at Newark and was the son of Frederic a butcher and Mary Jane Dixon (néé Wood) of Middle Gate Newark. His father Frederic was born in 1850 at Newark, his mother Mary Jane Wood was born in 1850 also in Newark. They were married in 1872 in Newark and went on to have five children, sadly two died in infancy or early childhood. Their surviving children were Annie Louisa 1871, Emily Jane b1875 and Fred Arthur b 1886; the children were born in Newark. Frederic Arthur married Gertrude Annie Smith (b1884 Newark) on 30th June 1910 and lived at 86 Victoria Street, Newark, and later 25, Spring Gardens, Newark, Nottinghamshire. In the 1911 census, Frederic and his wife were living at 25 Spring Gardens, Newark; he was 25 yrs old and a butcher's assistant and his wife Gertrude was 27 yrs old. Also in 1911 his parents and one sibling were living at 31 Middle Gate, Newark: Frederic 60 yrs was a butcher, Mary Jane 61 yrs and Emily Jane 35 yrs no occupation listed.
Private Frederic Arthur Dixon attested on 11th December 1915 at Newark. He gave his age as 30 yrs and 2 months, his address as 25 Spring Gardens, Newark, and next of kin as his wife Gertrude of the same address. He was posted to the Reserves the same day and mobilised on 19th June 1916 at Derby and posted to the 11th battalion North Staffordshire Regiment. He was later transferred to the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. Frederic embarked at Devonport on 4th November 1916, disembarking at Salonica on 16th November 1916. It was while serving with 'D' Coy, 9th battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, that he was admitted to the 18th Stationary Hospital with malaria on 23rd December 1918. He was dangerously ill by 2nd January 1919 and died on 3rd January 1919; the cause of death was malaria and broncho-pneumonia. He was buried in Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery, Greece (grave ref 614). CWGC Kirechkoi-Hortakoi Military Cemetery (extract): 'XVI Corps Headquarters were at Kirechkoi from January 1916, soon after the opening of the Salonika campaign, until the advance to the Struma in September 1916. The cemetery was begun in March 1916, but it remained a very small one until September 1917, when the 60th, 65th and 66th General Hospitals came to the neighbourhood. In June, July and September 1918, other hospitals were brought to the high and healthy country beside the Salonika-Hortakoi road and in September 1918, the influenza epidemic began which raged for three months and filled three-quarters of the cemetery. The last burial took place in January 1919, but in 1937, 12 graves were brought into the cemetery from Salonika Protestant Cemetery where their permanent maintenance could not be assured.'
Personal inscription CWGC headstone: 'Numbered with Thy saints in glory everlasting' Inscription on private memorial in St Mary Magdalene: 'In glorious memory of Frederic Arthur Dixon a chorister of this church and private 9th Battn. King's Own Lancashire Regt. who died on active service in hospital at Salonika January 3rd 1919. Numbered with His saints.' Article published 11th January 1919 in the Newark Herald :- 'Only son of Mr & Mrs Dixon, Middlegate, Newark. Husband of Gertrude Annie Dixon, 25 Spring Gardens. Educated at Southwell grammar school and was a member of the parish choir. Also a member of Newark Rowing Club. Joined-up at Derby on 19th June 1916 and was transferred to the North Staffs. for training at Rugeley Camp. His regiment was sent to Marske, near Redcar. He was transferred to the KO Royal Lancaster and sent to Salonika where he arrived on Nov. 16th. He was expected to be drafted home shortly. But a cable was received by his wife, that he was dangerously ill. To be followed by another, that he had died at the 18th Stationary Hospital, Salonika. There is a memorial to him in St. Mary Magdalene Church.'
