DICKINSON, Harold John
| Service Number: | 1664 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 31 May 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 24th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Thorpdale, Victoria, Australia, 27 March 1890 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Grocer |
| Died: | Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 4 March 1962, aged 71 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Altona Memorial Park, Victoria Cremated, 6 March 1962 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 31 May 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, 1664 | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Jul 1915: | Involvement Private, 1664, 24th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Demosthenes embarkation_ship_number: A64 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Jul 1915: | Embarked Private, 1664, 24th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Demosthenes, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Peter Sunners
Harold John Dickinson was born on 27 March 1890 in Thorpdale, the second child of Francis Dickinson, and Louisa Shove Miller. Harold and his parents lived in Thorpdale until 1910 when they all moved to Melbourne. Initially they lived in the suburb of Northcote and later in Moonee Ponds. Harold worked as a grocers’ assistant in Moonee Ponds.
In 1912 Harold married Mabel Huddy who lived in the same area. They both had fine voices and sang together in the Orpheus choir. Mabel was born on 20 March 1886, in South Melbourne. She was the youngest of six children and worked as a dressmaker.
Harold enlisted for service in World War I, enrolling on 12 June 1915. His two brothers, Francis Sidney and Vincent Robert had already enlisted. After less than one month of training, Harold was assigned to the 24th Battalion before embarking for overseas. He had a short tour of duty in Gallipoli, during the closing stages of that campaign then later in Heliopolis. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal, on 2 April 1916, days before being transferred to the 57th Infantry Battalion. Other field promotions followed quickly and on 23 May 1916 he was promoted to Sergeant. Further promotions followed on the French battlefields, Second Lieutenant 1 August 1916, Lieutenant 23 January 1917.
When the war was finally over the brothers returned to Melbourne and entered the menswear business They opened a series of shops around Melbourne, the first store in Northcote, followed by another store in Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick and then finally a store in Chapel Street, Prahran. In the late 1930s, Harold’s doctor told him that he should go to live in the country for a quieter life to help his nerves. Harold heeded his advice and moved to Traralgon, in mid-Gippsland, where he returned to the menswear business. No longer running his own business, he took up employment as a store manager for Fred Hesse Pty. Ltd.
Two and a half years after World War 2 was declared he once again enlisted. He did not see active duty during World War 2, but rather assisted with the war effort from Australia as a member of the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC). By the time he was discharged on 3 July 1945 Harold had attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. After the war he did not return to Melbourne but remained in Gippsland. He resumed working in the retail trade, working for the hardware chain, Permewan Wright in Yarram. Harold died on 4 March 1962, aged 71 years.
( Reference:Dickinson Family by Richard Walls, August 2018, ISBN 978-0-9806571-1-1)
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