Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

EARLY LIFE

William Allan Dixon was 21 years and 9 months when he enlisted for World War One. He grew up as a methodist in the Norwood Heritage Cottage, 92 George Street Norwood, Adelaide. When he grew older he was a Grocer, and was single with no children before enlisting. William Allan Dixon’s next of kin was his father George Adam Dixon, who also lived on 92 George Street, Norwood. George was believed to have been born in 1853 and died in 1935.

Despite the large decline of men enlisting to go to war by 1916 because of the intense increase in casualties, William still enrolled with good health and perfect vision. Dixon was about 5 feet and 10 inches tall, weighed 138 pounds and his chest was 30.33 inches wide. He also had a fair complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair.

LIFE AT WAR

William Allan Dixon was obviously a strong and hard working soldier that showed qualities of the ANZAC spirit as he was Private before being promoted to V. O. Corporal. Although, he then unfortunately reverted to Lance Corporal. William disembarked in Liverpool on the 21st of August 1917 after sailing from Melbourne, via Durrington, on the HMAT Suevic A29 on the 21st of June 1917. At this point of Dixon’s travels, he was with the 10th Infantry Battalion.

William worked with the 10th Training Battalion but was transferred to the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion. He was then taken to France via Sutton Mandeville to then be reinforced to the 39th Battalion in South Hampton on the 18th of December 1917. Dixon was also involved in the 10th Infantry Battalion and was therefore in the 10th Machine Gun Company.

William fought on the Western Front by fighting in The Third Battle of Ypres in 1917 with the 10th Battalion, he also fought in the Battle of Polygon Wood in September 1917 with the same battalion.

Dixon had no evidence of any injuries but he was taken to hospital sick from the 25th of June until the 1st of July 1918. Also, he did not die at battle but disembarked on the 16th of June and returned home, via Willshire, on the 4th July 1919.

MEDALS

The Medals that William Allan Dixon was awarded were; The Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal  The Star Medal was awarded to people that contributed in certain parts of WW1 between the 5th of August 1914 and the 31st of December 1915. Although, it is not certain why William was awarded this medal as he enlisted in 1917. Secondly, The Victory Medal was awarded to the people that served the armed forced in WW1. Lastly, The British War Medal was for soldiers who entered certain parts of the war during specified periods and had approved service overseas.

THE ANZAC SPIRIT

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and within the ANZAC’s, there are desirable qualities that they should all possess. These qualities include endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour, warm-hearted, and mateship.

Some examples of someone reflecting the ANZAC spirit is if they are a good leader for their battalion or unit, humorous with their friends and fellow soldiers and have courage within the war, meaning they would do anything for their country and not be afraid to fight.

One of the desirable qualities of an ANZAC is to have courage and William Allan Dixon fought in many battles and was part of the war for a long period of time. He also was promoted from Private to Corporal, this must mean that he must have these qualities otherwise, he would not have been worthy of a promotion.