Person

Joseph Hays Dixon was born in Gosforth, Northumberland to John and Margaret Dixon. He had four siblings; Isabella , Ethel , John Stanley, and Richard.

Before the War he was a coal hewer in Sacriston. His Royal Naval Division (RND) service records states that he joined the Durham Light Infantry on 3 September 1914 and that he was transferred to the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve on 11 September. He later served with the Hood Battalion of the RND. His service record shows that he was treated for jaundice on a number of time while serving in Egypt during 1915. In September 1916, he was transferred to the Hood Battalion. In November, his record reports that he died of a gun shot wound to the left temple while being treated at 4th Casualty Clearing Station, France, near Varennes.

He was killed on 8 November 1916 and his grave is located in Varennes British Cemetery in Albert, France. Previously, his letter was published in the Chester-le-Street Chronicle, where he returns thanks for the cigarettes (tabs) that were sent to him:

“Seaman Jos. Dixon, Naval Brigade, says: I now take the opportunity to let you know how thankful I was to receive your card on the 23rd August, when I was making preparations for the trenches, and yesterday when I returned to the rest camp the tabs were here for me. Very welcome they were, as I was absolutely washed out. I would esteem it a great favour if you would convey to your committee my heartfelt thanks for their gift, and tell them they cannot realise how pleased I was to receive it. It shows that they have not forgotten us, and that they also appreciate the work we are out here to do. I seem to be deriving a world of good from this outdoor life. Of course, as you are well aware, there are times when we have to go days without a wash or a change when we are in the trenches, but we are quite used to it now. And when we are back at the rest camp we often have a chance of a dip either in the Gulf or the Straights. Have you any idea how many of the old school boys are with the colours? I think there must be a good stock of them. I was amongst the first party of the Battalion to land here in April, and you can bet I have stuck it all so far, and sincerely hope that I shall have the pleasure of going through it, and come back home safe and sound. There are quite a crowd of Sacriston chaps here, and we often see each other when we are back from the trenches. Kindly remember me to my old school chums who are still left, and you can tell them I am learning new geography.”

Civil Parish: Witton Gilbert

Birth date: 15-Jul-1888

Death date: 8-Nov-1916

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: Ponteland, Northumberland (1901 census)
11 Elliot Street, Sacriston (1911 census and RND service record)

Religion: Church of England

Employment: Coal Miner, Hewer (1911 census)

Family: Parents: John Dixon and Margaret Dixon
Sisters: Isabella Dixon, Ethel Dixon
Brothers: John Stanley Dixon, Richard Dixon (1911 census)

Military service:

Battalion: Hood, Royal Naval Division
Official Number Port Division: K.X./374
25 May 1915: promoted to Able Seaman
4 September 1916: promoted to Leading Seaman
April 1915: first of the battalion to land where he reported he is now stationed, perhaps Turkey with the Gallipoli Campaign.
Killed: 8-Nov-1916 as a direct result of enemy action

Memorial(s): Varennes British Cemetery, Albert, France

Gender: Male

Contributed by Sacriston Heritage Group | Durham County Record Office. Jack Mulligan, Lewis Cooper and Chloe Bregazzi