Person

Richard Turnbull Dixon was born on 30 September 1898 in Penshaw, Sunderland. His father was John William Dixon (1876), an iron moulder from Burnmoor. His mother was Jane “Jennie” Turnbull (1875), a colliery agent’s daughter from Low Lambton. His parents married in Sunderland in 1898. Richard was their first born child and was followed by two daughters, Hannah and Florence.

Richard joined the Royal Navy as a boy 2nd class on 19 April 1914 and was given the service number J30513. He intended to serve for 12 years from the date of his 18th birthday. He was 15 years, 6 months and 21 days old when he joined. His record describes him as being almost five feet three inches tall with a 34 inch chest. He had brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.

Richard spent his first nine months at the shore based training establishment HMS Ganges at Shotley, Suffolk. He was promoted to boy 1st class on 20 November 1914. His first sea-going posting was to HMS Black Prince, a Duke of Edinburgh-class armoured cruiser. She transferred to the Grand Fleet in December 1914 and Richard joined her crew on 8 January 1915. He was specially rated ordinary seaman on 30 March 1916. It was relatively unusual for a boy to become an ordinary seaman before his 18th birthday and may suggest Richard displayed exemplary aptitude and commitment.

Black Prince took part in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. During the battle the ship was hit by at least twelve heavy shells and several smaller ones, sinking within 15 minutes. There were no survivors from Black Prince with Richard being one of the crew of 857 killed. His body was not recovered for burial and he is honoured on the Chatham Naval Memorial. He was 17 years, 8 months 2 days old when he lost his life. He is remembered in Sunderland on the Lectern and Plaque 1914-18, St Luke’s Church, Pallion and the Book of Remembrance, Holy Trinity Church.

Richard Turnbull Dixon was awarded the Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Sunderland

Birth date: 30-Sep-1898

Death date: 31-May-1916

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 46 Ancona Street, Pallion, Sunderland (1901 census)
1 Brady Street, Pallion, Sunderland (1911 census)

Employment: Fitter (1914 Royal Navy service record)

Family: Parents: John William Dixon (1876), Jane “Jennie” Dixon ne Turnbull (1875)
Siblings: Hannah Dixon (1900), Florence Dixon (1903)

Military service:

J30513
Boy 2nd class, 19 April 1914
Boy 1st class, 20 November 1914
Ordinary Seaman, 30 March 1916
HMS Ganges ,1914
HMS Black Prince, 8 January 1915 to 31 May 1916

Medal(s): Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Chatham Naval Memorial
Lectern and Plaque 1914-18, St Luke’s Church, Pallion, Sunderland
Book of Remembrance, Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham