George Dixon

George Dixon was born on 29th December 1881 at Snabdough near Bellingham, he was the son of the late Anne Dixon of Mantle Hill, Bellingham Northumberland and the late James Gibson Dixon a land agent. His father James Gibson Dixon was born in 1852 at Bellingham, he died on 23rd November 1919 aged 67 yrs his mother Annie Newton was born in 1849 at Sabdough, she died on 4th May 1895 aged 46 yrs they were married on 1st June 1876 at Chollerton, Northumberland, In the 1911 census his father James Gibson Dixon is living at Earl Cottege, Falstone in Northumberland, he is shown as being 59 yrs of age living on independent means, he is living with his second wife Eleanor 35 yrs and their son James Ivor Dixon 3 yrs of age. In the 1911 census he is living at High Park, Newthorpe, Nottinghamshire, he is shown as being 30 yrs of age, single and a colliery under manager, he is living with Henry Saxton 39 yrs a colliery carpenter and his family. His probate was proved on 28th October 1915 at London and shows him as George Dixon of Moorgreen near Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, died 6th August 1915 at Givenchy, France, his effects of £1187 8 shillings and 4 pence were left to Edward Newton esquire and Barbara Newton.

He was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne and the Newcastle and Durham mining college. He managed Watnall and High Park collieries owned by Barber Walker. He was a talented rugby player and also played cricket for the Lamb Close club near Eastwood.

Lieutenant George Dixon enlisted with the Coldstream Guards as a private shortly after war was declared and was commissioned in the Royal Engineers on 21st April 1915 'for services in the field' (Eastwood & Kimberley Advertiser 13/8/1915). He was killed in action by a mine explosion and is buried in the Military Cemetery, Cambrai