Harry Dixon

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from John Hamblin, Researcher.

Harry Dixon, Lieutenant 240154, 10th (2nd Battalion, The Rangers), King's Royal Rifle Corps attached to 9 Platoon, C Company, 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own). Died of wounds on the 6th of June 1944, aged 35.

Harry Dixon was born at Merton on the 12th of May 1909, the son of Henry Amos Dixon, an assistant to a wholesale jewellers, and Florence Dixon (née White) of 15, Mina Road, Merton Park in Surrey.

He was educated at King's College School, Wimbledon and he attended an Officer Cadet Training unit before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the King's Royal Rifle Corps. He served with the 10th Battalion of this Regiment before being attached to the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment.

On the 3rd of June 1944 the assault parties of the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment embarked on board LCT (landing craft tank) assault craft at Shoreham, Sussex and, after setting sail, they anchored off Newhaven for the night. The following day they received the news that the invasion of Normandy had been postponed for twenty four hours and they returned to the harbour where they were disembarked for hot baths and food. They re-embarked in the evening of the 4th of June and arrived off the Isle of Wight where they joined a convoy for the crossing to France and set sail for Normandy on the evening of the 5th of June 1944.

The first men came ashore on Queen White sector of Sword Beach at 7.45am, some twenty minutes after the first wave of British troops had landed. Harry Dixon and C Company came ashore about four hours later when the beach was heavily congested and still under enemy artillery and sniper fire. In the early afternoon the Battalion was able to begin its mission and C Company was detached to support an attack by the 185th Infantry Brigade which was to attack towards Caen.

No. 9 Platoon was given the task of supporting an assault by a Company of the 2nd Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry in their attack on an enemy battery sited on a ridge at Périers-sur-le-Dan, to the right of the main road to Caen. There was little cover as the platoon advanced quickly towards their objective under enemy fire.

As they crossed the ground a burst of shrapnel seriously wounded Harry Dixon who died from his wounds later in the day. Sergeant Rawling assumed command of the platoon and led them in a successful attack which overcame an enemy machine gun position at Bierville, killing ten of the enemy and capturing another.

Harry Dixon is buried at Hermanville War Cemetery Plot I Row B Grave 15 and he is commemorated on the war memorial at the King’s College School Wimbledon.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Harry Dixon. If you are aware of one or you are related to Harry we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.