JAMES DIXON

290687, Private, James Nathan Dixon, 11th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, former, number 2645.

Born in 1894 at Macclesfield, son of Nathan and Sarah Ellen Dixon, (nee, Needham), of, 7, Alderley Street. In 1911, they were living at 137, Chester Road, and James was working as a house painter.

He attested at Macclesfield, his service record shows his first theatre of war was the Balkans going with the Cheshire’s to Gallipoli, 9 August 1915; this would have been with the 7th Battalion. Having survived here, he then was drafted to the Western Front. The 11th Battalion were engaged in battle at St Quentin, they moved on the 21 March 1918 from Bihucourt at about 9 a.m. to Favreuil, and on to point east of Beugnatre.

At approximately 5.30 p.m. on the 22nd it was ordered to occupy a position near Chaufours Wood, and the road running south from Morchies, which it did after making a short attack with the assistance of some tanks. Heavy casualties were caused by enemy shelling. At about 8 a.m. on the 23rd the enemy renewed his attack. The Battalion were compelled to withdraw to Beugny, and then to the “Army line” near Sapignies.

James was killed in action, Sunday, 24 March 1918, aged 23 years.

Medals: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Private, James Nathan Dixon is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais France.
C.W.G.C. Ref: – Bay 5 and 6.

Also refer to

• Macclesfield Troops pre WWI
• Photos from Barnswood archive Macclesfield WW1
• Photos of 3rd Macclesfield Troop pre WW1
• ‘Great war history of 3rd Macclesfield’ by Sue Henderson
• Photos from Barnswood archive Macclesfield WW1
• ‘Big Hats, Shorts and Dyb Dyb Dyb’ – a history of Macclesfield and Congleton Scouts by Norman Gosling
• WWI List of Addresses Trevor Druce Macclesfield Reflects