William DIXON

16 June 1916

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgement of parcels:–

Private W. Dixon writes – “Thanks for the parcel received in good condition. We have not had a bad time of it up to now, and as far as fighting is concerned we have seen none yet, in fact we can hardly realise that we are in France. On arriving at the Base Camp one of our lads was found to be suffering from German measles, and we have been isolated ever since, but we remove from this camp to-morrow, and then I dare say we shall see some fun. John Burke has already gone up to the firing line. His parcel has landed here all right. I dare say by now he will have received it. The first day we arrived I came across Jack Smith. He had just come down from the firing line for a rest.”

13 October 1916

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Pte. R. Wall, writing to Mr. Flint, says:–“Thanks for splendid parcel. For about a week we have been blessed with ideal weather and if it only continues for another month or so there will be a great change in the situation. It is quite evident that the idea is to advance as far as possible before the winter conditions prevail, for, as you know, advancing over heavy ground is practically out of the question. About a week ago I passed R. Smith and W. Dixon. I was not able to have a chat with them, but they looked well.”

03 November 1916

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgement of parcels:–

Private W. Dixon, writing from No. 2 Convalescent Camp, Rouen, says: “ I was sorry to hear about W. Waggitt’s death. R. Smith told me about him. They were both together when he got killed. Smith got wounded. I was wounded the day before. I don’t think the war will last much longer. Sooner it is over the better. We go down to Rouen nearly every day to the football matches or the pictures. We have a very good football team, they play Rouen and other teams.”

22 December 1916

ADDINGHAM – SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters:–Pte. G.H. Thompson writes: “Just a line to let you know I am all right. I hope you will all have a good time this Christmas and enjoy yourselves. I only wish I was with you. Willie Dixon is all right.”

20 December 1918

Addingham Soldier’s Death in Italy

We regret to record the death of Lance-Corporal W. Dixon, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, which took place in Italy as a result of wounds received on the last day of fighting. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. Dixon (Addingham) have received no official information as yet, though they have been in communication with the War Office some time. They had received a card from him dated the day hostilities ceased and were naturally thinking he had come through all right. but it must have been posted jut before going into action. Then a letter came to a friend in the village saying he had been seriously wounded, and then in response to further enquiries his friend who had been with him both in France and Italy, wrote to his sister as follows:– “Dear Mrs. Scholfield: You ask me to tell all I can concerning Willie. It is something I would rather not do, but as you have asked me to state the worst I feel that I ought to do so, as I know the suspense that you will be in. I thought you would have been notified by the War Office before now. I am sorry to say that Willie met his death on October 27th when we made the advance across the Piave. He was hit with a machine gun bullet soon after we crossed the river. I should like to have seen him but did not know he was severely wounded until we reached our objective the same day. I was told he had been attended to and carried away on a stretcher and afterwards heard he had died later in the day. I svmpathise with you, as I have known Willie since we were in training together. He came out in the same draft as myself and it does seem hard after going through so much to be taken away at the final push. – Yours sincerely, E. PLUMB”