David Percival DIXON

22 June 1917

LOWER BENTHAM – On Furlough

Driver [Private] Percy Dixon, of the West Yorkshire Regt., arrived home from the Front on Saturday, for ten days well-earned rest. He has been in France seventeen months. Pte. John Dickenson, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regt., has also been here on a few days furlough. The latest recruit from the village is John Walling who joined the colours on Friday last.

22 June 1917

HIGHER BENTHAM – Home on Leave

Pte. James Guy, son of Mrs. Guy, of Grove Hill, has had ten days’ leave from the trenches; Cpl. George Ammott, son of Mr. Wm. Ammott, of the Fourlands Inn, was also over on leave; Cpl. Walker Sanderson, eldest son of the late Mr. T. Sanderson, has been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field; Pte. Percy Dixon, youngest son of Mrs. Dixon, of Low Bentham, West Yorks., is over on his last[est] leave.

01 November 1918

LOW BENTHAM – Lance-Corporal David Percival Dixon, Killed in Action

Mrs. Dixon, of Main Street, has received the sad intelligence of the death in action of her son, Lance-Corporal Percy Dixon, West Yorkshire Regiment.

In a letter his Lieutenant states:– “Dear Madam, – I regret to inform you of the death of your son, Lance-Corporal Dixon, in the early hours of the 22nd October, whilst out on patrol with myself and four other men. The loss of such a promising lad is felt very much in his platoon, and indeed throughout the company. He was well respected by everyone with whom he came in contact and one in whom his section had every confidence. He suffered no pain whatever, death being instantaneous. On behalf of the platoon I send our deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. T. LATTIMER, Second-Lieutenant.”

Lance-Corporal Dixon, who was 28 years of age, enlisted in the Bradford Pals on the outbreak of the war, and went out with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in 1915. He was later transferred to Flanders, where he had experienced some rough fighting. He returned to the Front after the usual 14 days six weeks ago. Born at Wray, the late soldier afterwards proceeded to Bradford, where he finished his education at Smart’s Academy. Prior to enlisting he was in the wool trade. A very keen sportsman and gymnast, Lance-Corporal Dixon had won many distinctions, and widespread sympathy is extended to his bereaved mother and family.

22 November 1918

LOWER BENTHAM – Thanksgiving Day

Special services of thanksgiving were held at the Parish Church on Sunday, the rector officiating. After evensong a memorial service was held in respect of five gallant lads who have lately given their lives, namely:– Private John Adamthwaite, Private William Throup, Lance-Corporal Percy Dixon, Corporal Edward Ramskill and Private Alec Crayston.

19 March 1920

LOWER BENTHAM – A Posthumous Award

The widowed mother of the late Lce.-Cpl. Percy Dixon received on Saturday the 1914-15 Star and Ribbon, which (the letter accompanying states) “would have been conferred upon Lce.-Cpl. David Percival Dixon, West Yorks. Regiment, had he lived, in memory of his services with the British Forces during the Great War.” Lce.-Cpl. Dixon served in the 16th West Yorks. (1st Bradford Pals). He was instantaneously killed on the Western Front on October 22nd, 1918. His youngest brother, Reginald James Dixon, engineer, joined the Royal Navy in 1914 and went all through the war on H.M.S. Benbow as an armourer, rising to armourer’s mate. He has since successfully passed his examinations as Chief Petty Officer (ordnance artificer) and is at present on board H.M.S. Hood.