Dixon, Ernest, 1891 - 1970

DETAILS

Name Ernest Dixon, 1891 - 1970BiographyDate of Birth: 1891, Yorkshire, England Date of Death: 30 July 1970, Brisbane (Qld.) Burial: Albany Creek Crematorium, Aspley Queensland Ernest was the son of John Dixon and Hannah Linfoot of Stellingfleet, Yorkshire, England and he came to Australia in 1913. Ernest was single and working as a fruit farmer at Elimbah when he enlisted in January 1916. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field on 6 May 1918: During a minor operation on the night 14/15 April 1918 near Sailly-le-Sec, south of Albert, this man, a Battalion Headquarters Scout displayed real courage and presence of mind when acting as a guide to a fighting patrol and materially assisted in locating an enemy position in his outpost system. He rushed the first two me he saw, killed one and took the other prisoner. His accurate knowledge of the ground enabled him to take full advantage of folds etc., and he guided the entire party with the prisoners back to our lines, a distance of 1,000 yards with great success and without causalities. This operation was carried out under enemy machine gun fire and in the face of great danger, and it was greatly due to the personal bravery of this soldier what the enemy post was so successfully dealt with. [Commonwealth Gazette No. 185, dated 27 November 1918] He was also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 1 June 1918: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When forming part of a patrol which was operating on a bright moonlight night close to the enemy lines, this man, with much gallantry crawled forward under a very heavy fire from the machine guns of the enemy, who were thoroughly aroused, to secure papers and other marks of identification from one of the enemy who had been killed by the patrol, it being important to acquire this information. He successfully accomplished his object, and then with great skill, withdrew his patrol, which sustained no casualties largely owing to his able management, though under a hot rifle and machine-gun fire. [Commonwealth Gazette No. 15, dated 4 February 1919] He was promoted to Lance Corporal in August 1918. He returned to Australia per HT Port Sydney 12 November 1919 and was discharged 30 December 1919.Birth date26 August 1884Death date30 July 1970

Service Personnel

Menu

Dixon, Ernest, 1891 - 1970