Albert Dickinson

Unknown

Contay British Cemetery, Grave Reference: VIII D 5 Notts Local News 23/12/1916: "Bulwell Hero Killed Lance Corporal Dickinson who passed from the pit bank in civil employment to doctor’s orderly in the army, where his first aid knowledge was quickly utilised when he joined the colours .. There is a touch of romance concerning his promotion which should lessen the grief of his sorrowing parents, widow and 6 children .L /CDickinson was a miner like his father and brothers at the Broxtowe Pit, associating himself with the St John’s Ambulance movement. He won two certificates and a medallion as a result of his studies .His services prior to the war were also in demand for his secretarial work during his leisure hours in the Bulwell district. It was on Shrove Tuesday last year when he joined the 17thSherwoods. Whilst parading on the barrack square, his medallion was spotted by officers. He was called from the ranks and appointed doctor’s orderly, having obtained 99 out of 100 in competition for the role. In England and abroad he took his duties in a humorous vein; he wrote home In one of his letters , ‘When you get this. I shall be distributing pills,......amongst the wounded soldiers.’ He was also a clever chiropodist rendering valuable service to soldiers feet who had been in the trenches.. Unhappily he was seriously wounded. In the chest on Nov 13th and died two days later. His last medical officer writes ...’he had only been with me ten weeks but his place will be hard to fill.’ General sympathy is felt for Lance Corporal Dickinson’s widow and 6 children the youngest aged 1 and the eldest 12 who reside at 29 China street also with his parents of 7 Rock street Bulwell.Dickinson was 35 years old." Article courtesy of Brian Szowkomud