Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Stanley Nixon was a stretcher bearer in the 29th Battalion and on 17 May 1918 was bandaging and attending the wounds of another soldier near Sailly Le Sec when a minenwerfer shell burst close to them, killing the patient and severely wounding Private Nixon. He was taken to the dressing station in Vignacourt but died soon after.

Urana Independent 14 June 1918, Late Pte S. L. Nixon

In a recent issue we announced the bare fact of the death of Pte. S. L. Nixon, of the 29th, late the 14th Battalion. No particulars have yet come to hand telling when or how he met his end. Pte Samuel Lindsay Nixon was the third son of Mr and Mrs S. Nixon, of "Belmont", Oaklands. where he was born in 1894. Growing into manhood he took to farming pursuits, and showed himself a capable and successful farmer. Not only was he a good farmer, but on the football field he proved himself a fine player, who became popular with all. It was not to be wondered at that when the call came seriously for men to play the game," he should respond to the game willingly and with eagerness. At first, he was turned down owing to appendicle trouble but his heart was set on serving his country, so at his own expense he went to Dr Sterling's Private Hospital in Melbourne to be operated on. Less than three months after, 26 June, 1916, he was again before Dr Macknight with his brother, William Nixon. This time he passed; his brother being rejected. On 2 July he went in to Cootamundra Camp, He was home on final leave in September, and was farewelled at Oaklands on the 23rd of the same month. Shortly after the first referendum he embarked on the Port Napier, and sailed with the late Piper J K. Mackenzie and Pte Charlie Cameron, leaving Sydney on 17 November. These three remained close friends on the voyage to Plymouth, where they arrived on the 27 January, 1917. With the others he was drafted on to the famous Codford Camp, where he remained until 12 March, when he sailed for France, arriving, at Boulogne on 14 March. Next month saw him in the trenches. From that time onward he was in various engagements. In the severe fighting, around Polygon Wood he took an active part in attacking and despatching the occupants of' the pill boxes. In a struggle at close quarters a Boche thrust a bayonet into his shoulder, producing a nasty wound. His opponent lost his head in the struggle. In spite of his wound Pte Nixon remained on duty for over 30 hours, when he was ordered to report at the casualty station, five miles in the rear. A month later he was again back with his company. In February 1 of this year, he was granted eight days' leave in Paris and 14 days in Blighty. Like the majority of the boys, he spent most of his leave in Scotland, especially in Glasgow, where he took a great interest in the show of draught horses, which took place during his leave. His death leaves only one of the trio of the Port Napier, Charlie Cameron, Piper Mackenzie passing away a week after the attack on Polygon Wood. Great sympathy is felt for the Nixon family, who have taken a very active part in all Red Cross work for the soldiers.