Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust Groups

Lot 3588    Session 13 (2.30pm Thursday 22nd November)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust Groups

Estimate $18,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

DSO GROUP OF SIX TO CAMEL CORPS: Distinguished Service Order (GVR); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45. First medal unnamed as issued, 5009 Sjt E.W.Dixon. 12/A.S.C. A.I.F. on second medal, Captain. E.W.Dixon. A.I.F. on third and fourth medals, V17506 E.W.Dixon on last two medals. All named medals impressed. Swing mounted by INCE Bros, Tailors, Melbourne, the cypher on reverse of DSO is slightly rotated, otherwise very fine.

Together with a silvered Australian Camel Corps collar badge, pin back but missing pin; also a spare MID emblem; stirrup from camel saddle.

DSO: LG 18/2/1918, p2156; CAG 12/12/1918, p2347, to Lt E.W.Dixon, Anzac Imperial Camel Corps. (For action at Tel El Khuweilfe)

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack, the enemy in turn counter attacked on the flank of the battalion. He at once grasped the situation, took command of more than 200 men of various units, and held on to a portion of rising ground which was vital to the whole position. Having driven off the attack, he remained in command of the hill for two days, the retention of which vital point was entirely due to his personal example and courage.

MID: (First) LG 6/7/1917, p6772; CAG 2/9/1920, p1143, to 2Lt E.W.Dixon, 3rd Anzac Bn, Imperial Camel Corps (late Aust Light Horse). (Second) 14/6/1918, p6451; CAG 2/9/1920, p1144, to Lt E.W.Dixon, 3rd Anzac Bn, Imperial Camel Corps.

Ernest William Dixon, grazier and horse shipper, age 34, born at St Kilda, Vic; Enl.11Nov1914 at Melbourne, Vic, with previous service of 7 years with Madras Volunteer Guards, and to camp at Broadmeadows; to Sgt 10Dec1914 with 12 Coy ASC; Emb.02Feb1915 with 3 LH Bde Train; ops in Egypt from 02Mar1915; to RSM 03Jan1916; to 2/Lieut 01Sep1916; to 1st Camel Corps Bn 10Oct1916; to 3rd Anzac Camel Bn 01Nov1916; to 15LHR as Adjutant 01Jul1918: ceased ops in Sinai and Palestine 31Oct1918; RTA 29Apr1919 with 10LHR; Appt terminated 10Aug1919 and to Reserve of Officers; WWII: Enl.15Jul1941 at Royal Park, Vic and appt Captain; Disch.18Jan1944 as Captain ex 9 Garrison Bn; Died 01Mar1960 and was cremated at Springvale Crematorium, Springvale, Vic.

In Bean's Official History of WWI Volume 7 he details Dixon's action at Tel El Khuweilfe on 6 November. The 1/1st Herefords were falling back with no officers when Dixon and about 30 of his men dashed out, waving his hat and led the British men back into the line. The next day Dixon led a force of the Camels against Tel El Khuweilfe and rushed up the slopes with bayonets and hand grenades, and after a brief struggle the Turks fled. Dixon is also mentioned in The Fighting Cameliers by Frank Reid, pp163/4 and 167.

Together with copy of Service File and other research and a medals storage wallet.

See also lot 3642 for various photos of Dixon's wartime service submitted by a different vendor.