Private James Edgar Dickson

 

James Edgar Dickson was born on 11 April 1890 at Drummee, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, the first of five children of commercial traveller John Dickson and his wife Rebecca Jane (née Johnston). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Donegall House, Springfield, County Fermanagh, with his widowed father (who had taken up farming) and his siblings, and working on the family farm.

Dickson enlisted (as Edgar Dickson) in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron at Enniskillen on 2 October 1914. The seventh man to join the squadron, he was issued regimental number UD/7. On 6 October 1915 he embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division. Between 3 and 30 April 1916 he was posted to 36th Divisional Headquarters.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps until September 1917, when it was disbanded and its men were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Dickson (who had just returned from leave – see article below), were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt some days later. Dickson was issued regimental number 41118 and posted to A Company.

He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917.

On 28 December 1917, however, Dickson fell ill with trench fever. Following treatment at the No.20 General Hospital at Camiers, on 4 January he was evacuated to England, where he was admitted to the Cheltenham VAD Hospital, suffering "pain in back, legs & chest". After four month he was discharged and posted to the Command Depot at Randalstown, where he was assessed by a medical board and classed Category B.III ('only suitable for sedentary work').

Initially posted on 24 May to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, at Rugeley, Staffordshire, on 9 July 1918 he was transferred to the 53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment), also based at Rugeley. He was issued regimental number TR [Training Reserve] 6/53031.

Dickson was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve, on 13 February 1919. His military character was recorded as 'very good'. His illness persisted and for a short time he was granted a pension, his level of disability assessed at 20 per cent.

Following his discharge Dickson returned to farming at Donegall, Springfield. On 20 March 1929 he married Marion Baxter. He died on 30 November 1936.

 

Fermanagh Times, 30 August 1917

 

This page last updated 10 January 2023.