Newton-le-Willows and Earlestown War Memorial

In Memory of

Private Harry Dixon

116842
29th Battalion Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Died of Wounds 28th April 1917 Age 30

Harry Dixon was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs H. Dixon of Bolton Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield. He married the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Richard Eaton of Crow Lane West, Earlestown, emigrating with her to Canada in about 1910.

As Harry enlisted with a Canadian regiment, his attestation paper has survived and this gives some personal details. He was born on 22nd February 1887. He had a ruddy complexion, brown eyes and black hair, and had three vaccination marks on his left arm. He lived with his wife and, according to his obituary in the NEG of May 18th 1917, their two children at 1459, William Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. He gave his occupation as "teamster" when he enlisted on 1st May 1916.

He arrived in England with his battalion in August 1916, leaving for France in October 1916. According to the obituary, "his wounds, which proved fatal, were received in the Canadian engagement at Vimy Ridge on April 23rd." He is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery in Plot II, Row G, Grave 57. Aubigny-en-Artois is a village about fifteen kilometres north-west of Arras. The cemetery was used by the 24th and 1st Canadian Casualty Clearing Stations during the capture of Vimy Ridge.