Dixon C M Major 16th Lancers
MAJOR C. M. DIXON
16th (THE QUEEN’S) LANCERS
CLIVE MACDONNELL DIXON, of Chapelgarth, Stokesley, Yorkshire, was the eldest son of Sir Raylton Dixon, Ship Builder, of Gunnergate Hall, near Middlesborough, and of Lady Dixon, daughter of Robert Walker, M.D. He entered the School in 1884, left in 1887, and was gazetted to the 16th Lancers, then stationed at Lucknow, in 1890.
He saw service in the Chitral Campaign of 1895, receiving the Medal with Clasp, and went with the Indian Contingent to South Africa, on the outbreak of War in 1899. During the siege of Ladysmith he was A.D.C. to Sir George White, and Camp Commandant. He served through the whole War, was awarded the Brevet rank of Major, and received the two Medals with eight Clasps.
When this War was over he resigned his Commission, but immediately on the outbreak of War with Germany, Colonel MacEwen applied for Major Dixon to be his Second in Command, and he crossed to France with the Regiment in August, 1914.
He took part in the Retreat from Mons, and the Battles of the Marne and of the Aisne. He was mortally wounded when in temporary command of the 16th Lancers, who were gallantly holding their own in the trenches, against the enemy’s attacks, near Ypres, on November 5th, 1914. Age 45. He was mentioned in Despatches of January 14th, 1915. The following are extracts from letters from the General Commanding the Brigade, his Colonel and brother Officers :-
“It was a grand and gallant action, and gave one more proof of his splendid spirit. I never can tell you what good work he has done here, both in his skill and capacity in handling troops and in his grand constancy and cheerfulness in our moments of anxiety.” “I sent in his name for gallantry, on the second day of the Mons Battle, for carrying out of action, under a heavy shell fire, a man of the 18th Hussars, whose horse was shot-a typical act on his part.” ” He was adored by everyone, Officers and men. One of the finest characters I ever came across. He was a very fine soldier and did not know the meaning of fear.”
“He was acting most gallantly at the time he was shot, rallying some French who were next to us, and behaving in the splendid way that always stamped him as the very best. The example set is one that all might envy.”
And one of the men of the Regiment, writing home to his mother, said: “Major Dixon ran along the trench, telling us to stick it out and show what we were made of, and, as all of us were very fond of him, we did stick it out. ”
He was a keen sportsman and, also, a successful artist. He exhibited several large pictures at the Royal Academy. He married, in 1898, Lilian, daughter of John Bell, of Rushpool Hall, Saltburn, and Algiers, and had six children.