Frederick John Cruse Dixon

Died of Wounds (septic poisoning) on the 06/09/1916 at the No. 21 Casualty Clearing Station. Wounds received on the 03/09/1916 (shot in both legs) at the Battle of Pozieres (part of the Battles of the Somme 1916)

The 1st Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) arrived at Le Havre on the 14/08/1914 and were part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division. Frederick was formerly a Private with the 6th (Service) Battalion Cameron Highlanders (S/14788) in France from the 09/07/1915 until the 11/06/1916 when he was posted to the 1st Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Frederick received his wounds at High Wood during the Battle of Pozieres, 23rd July - 3rd September 1916 : Pozieres was a small, straggling village on the main Albert - Bapaume road. It is situated on high ground that gives the occupier observation southwards along the road towards Ovillers, La Boisselle, Albert and beyond; to the east across to High Wood, Delville Wood and beyond; and westwards to Thiepval. Possession of Pozieres was key to making possible any further advances towards Bapaume, the capture of the Thiepval ridge and the breaking of resistance at High and Delville Woods. The Battle for Pozieres and nearby Mouquet Farm became an epic in its own right, with tenacious German defence keeping determined British-Australian attack at bay for several weeks. This was the first large-scale Australian battle in France and proved to be its costliest in terms of total casualties. Frederick died of septic poisoning after being shot in both legs. Casualties for the 03/09/1916 - 3 Officers Wounded (2 Died of Wounds on the 006/09/1916), 1 Officer Missing, 37 Other Ranks Killed, 123 Wounded, 36 Missing. SEE PHOTOS x 15 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM THE 1st AUGUST - 16th SEPTEMBER 1916. Frederick was a soloist at concerts and homes in Scotland as well as playing at concerts in France. See Newspaper clippings on Frederick's wounds received on the 28/01/1916 and also letters from the trenches by his Batman, the Chaplain of the Regiment and his close friend Captain John Ebenezer Stewart M.C. (see Directory for War Poet Stewart's page). Frederick is also remembered on the Coats Parish Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Frederick's Medal Index Card, his listing in the Ireland WW1 Casualties Records, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, Frederick's Grave x 2, La Neuville British Cemetery, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, Frederick's Pension Record, his Service Records x 5, his previous Regiment the Cameron Highlanders Cap Badge and the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Cap Badge. Frederick's grave inscription reads "BELOVED SON OF GRACE AND THE LATE THOMAS DIXON COATBRIDGE, SCOTLAND". Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 13 (Coatbridge Express x 8, Coatbridge Leader x 2 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 3) and the 1st Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division he was with when he died).