We Remember

Frank Dickson

Frank Dickson
Rank: 
Lieutenant
Unit at enlistment: 
36th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
Yes
Wounded: 
Yes
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Leicestershire
Birth city: 
Leicester
Address at enlistment: 
151 Brock Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
151 Brock Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Principal
Employer: 
King Edward Public School
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
24

Letters and documents

BX January 13, 1915

Invalided Home

Lieutenant Frank Dickson of E. Co., 19th Battalion second Canadian overseas contingent, has been invalided home from Toronto, he having been injured at camp, for which he was operated on successfully. He is not going with the second contingent, owing to that injury, but it is possible that he will secure a commission with the Dufferin Rifles active service company for the third contingent.

BX January 6, 1916

“Something From Home” Greatly Appreciated by Men in Trenches – Gifts of Brant Chapter, I.O.D.E. Were Made Very Welcome at Christmas Time – Letters Received From Some of the Recipients Tell of the Conditions Under Which Fight is Made

To a man on active service, the greatest luxury obtainable is “something from home.”  When the Christmas gifts, forwarded by Brant Chapter, I.O.D.E., to officers at the front were received on the firing line, the joy was great. In terms of deep gratitude the recipients have replied to the donors, in the following letters among others:

December 15, 1915
“Somewhere in Belgium”

To the Secretary,
Brant Chapter, I.O.D.E.

Dear Madam,

I was delighted to be the recipient of your kind and thoughtful present, consisting of a box of biscuits, yesterday, and I wish to tender to the ladies of the Brant Chapter my appreciation and thanks. Needless to say my fellow officers participated in demolishing the good things contained in the box and on their behalf also I thank you. It came as a very pleasant surprise and was therefore, all the more acceptable, and made an excellent supplement to our rations which, although good, are by no means noted for their wonderful variety.

I am pleased to say that I am in the very best of health and spirits, although we are under canvas and are experiencing some very wet and cold weather. However, we are hoping that the happy time will soon arrive when this struggle is brought to a satisfactory end and we are able to return to peace and comfort. Once more thanking you, I remain,

Yours sincerely,

F. Dickson

BX November 1, 1916

Spattered with Teuton Grenade – Lieut. F.M. Dickson Maintains his Spirits Despite His Wounds

To Mrs. W.F. Roberts 151 ½ Brock Street, has just come a letter from her daughter, Mrs. (Lieut.) Frank Dickson, now in England, which contains a copy of a letter from him telling of his wounding. The letter is as follows:

By this time I hope you have received a telegram saying what has happened. It is nothing to worry about, and I am getting along fine. Once more I was the luckiest man on earth, or I should never have got as far as this. I cannot give you details now for it would take too long, and by writing you can tell that I am in bed. We made an attack on Sunday and I got in the way of several Bosche bombs. We were in his trenches and he put up quite a fight. One burst in my face, and the other on my left leg, with the result that I am spattered on my face, arms, legs and chest with shrapnel and my left leg is broken.

I am not telling you this to make you worry, but to show you how fortunate I was. I look a pretty mess with black eyes, etc. Well, I crawled into a shell hole and as it was then daylight I had to stay there all day, just outside the Bosche wire. At dusk I started to crawl back to our trench and landed there after about three hours. I was then put on a stretcher and started on my journey, first to the dressing station, then the field ambulance and then the casualty clearing station all in the same night. I stayed at the last place till about 2 p.m. Then we went to the station and were brought here by train. It was a long journey. It is a lovely place and is the Duchess of Westminster’s hospital at Le Touquet. I arrive here yesterday morning and was operated on at 5 p.m. last night. I came through fine. It was just to have my wounds opened and leg set that is all. By the way, I have not an article of clothing left. Of course they had to be cut off when I was first dressed. I must close now as I am pretty tired and weak yet.

BX October 16, 1916

Lieutenant Frank M. Dickson, formerly principal at the King Edward school here, has been dangerously wounded and admitted to the Duchess Minister’s hospital at Le Tourquet. Word to this effect was received yesterday by his wife, Mrs. Elsie Dickson, 157 Brock Street. His wounds are said to have been multiple grenade wounds and severe. Lieut. Dickson left here with the 19th Battalion. After being in Toronto camp a short time he was taken ill and underwent an operation. On his recovery he was transferred to the 36th Battalion and went overseas with it. On reaching England he was later transferred to the Canadian Mounted Rifles. With this regiment he was associated with another Brantford officer, Lieut. Harold Brewster.

BX October 6, 1914

Remembered by Board

Prior to his departure for Toronto this morning with the second contingent of volunteers, Lieutenant Frank Dickson, former principal of King Edward School, was presented by the members of the public school board with a shaving and smoking set, in addition to their passing a resolution authorizing the school management committee to keep Mr. Dixon’s position open for him and allowing him three month’s salary.  Mr. Dixon feelingly expressed his appreciation to the board for their kindnesses.

BX October 27, 1914

Sorry to Lose Him – But the School Trustees Appreciate the Patriotism of Lieutenant Frank Dickson

A special meeting of the internal management committee of the Public School Board was held last night to arrange for the filling of the vacancy caused by the retirement of Principal Dickson, of the King Edward School, who has been appointed one of the officers of the Dufferin Rifles Company of the second Canadian contingent.  Principal Dickson has always been considered one of the most capable officials in the employ of the board and while the trustees appreciated his action in volunteering his services to the Empire in its hour of need, sincere regret was expressed that the schools were to lose the services of such an efficient principal and teacher.  It was decided to allow Principal Dickson three months’ salary and to hold his position open for him.

The following resolution was passed on the motion of Trustees Lane and Clement:

“That this board, while sincerely regretting to lose the services of such a valuable principal and teacher, appreciate the patriotic spirit of Lieutenant Frank Dickson, in giving up his position as principal of King Edward School to aid in the defense of the empire, and we wish him to understand that his position will be open for him on his return:

“That the board gives Lieut. Dickson a testimonial in the form of three months’ salary.”

It was arranged that John Aubrey Holdsworth, a teacher in King Edward School, should act as principal of the school until the readjustment takes place at the beginning of the New Year and that Miss Wilson should replace Mr. Holdsworth.  Thomas Bingle was appointed principal of the new King George School, now in the course of erection on Rawdon Street.

BX October 28, 1914

Gave Him a Sweater Coat – King Edward School Scholars Make Presentation to Lieutenant Frank Dickson

The children of the King Edward School took part this morning in a little ceremony which, while in itself was a token of appreciation to the former principal, Frank Dickson, was tinged with sadness, owing to the fact that he is leaving the school to go to the front as one of the Lieutenants of the Dufferin Rifles.

Master W. Bisset, son of a member of the Dufferin Rifles, read an address from the children, complimenting their late principal on his patriotic spirit, and wishing him the best of success while at the front, coupled with the hope that he would return again to them at the end of the war with safety and honor.  Master Stewart Mack, shoes father is also connected with the Dufferin Rifles, then presented to Lieut. Dickson a sweater coat and a pair of gloves, as slight tokens of respect, appreciation and good wishes.  The recipient replied appreciatively. 

This afternoon at4 o’clock, the Teachers’ Institute of the city will meet at the Central School, when on their behalf Inspector E.E.C. Kilmer will present Lieut. Dickson with a wrist watch, accompanied by their best wishes.  The Central school teachers will act as hostess

BX October 29, 1914

Was Given a Wrist Watch – Lieutenant Frank Dickson Remembered by His Fellow Teacher in the Public Schools

Lieut. Frank Dickson, senior subaltern of the active service contingent of the Dufferin Rifles, was honored yesterday afternoon when the members of the Teachers Institute of the city gathered in the Central School to bid him farewell and Godspeed before his departure to the front, after a period of training.

A short but excellent program was first given.  Patriotic songs were sung in good voice by the Misses Moffat, Thorne and Senn.  J.S. Rowe, principal of Dufferin School, then came to the front and read an address of a congratulatory nature expressing appreciation of the patriotic action of the principal of the King Edward School in volunteering for active service and wishing him success in his war experiences.  He then called on Miss Campbell, at an appropriate moment, and she daintily attached to Lieut. Dickson’s wrist a splendid wrist watch, the gift of the teachers of the city.  Short addresses of an eulogistic nature were given by Messrs. Coulbeck, Lane, Gott and Armstrong, school trustees, and E.E.C. Kilmer, public school inspector, the recipient of the gift expressing his warm appreciation of the kind things said and done.

Little Essie Edwards then came forward and presented to Lieut. Dickson a pair of woolen wristlets, knitted by herself, she being a member of one of the two classes of his who have been taught to knit in the school.

Light refreshments were served by the teachers of Central School, and the gathering closed with the singing of “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and “It’s a Long, Long way to Tipperary.”

BX May 11, 1916

Four Principals Are Now in Khaki – Two More Offered Services but Were Rejected on Physical Grounds

Brantford public school principals have made a record in this Great War that few cities can compare favorably with.  Out of the seven public schools in the city four of the principals are now in khaki and are training with their respective battalions. Two others offered their services but were rejected.  As the principal of the other school is a lady, it can be truly said that a full percentage of the male principals in Brantford have offered to do their bit.

Captain Walter Joyce of Central School is now with the 215th Battalion, in training here; Captain Thomas Bingle of the King George School is with the 125th also in training here; Lieutenant Frank Dickson of the King Edward School is with the 36th Battalion now overseas, and Sergeant John Aubrey Holdsworth, who succeeded Mr. Dickson and was only at the head of King Edward School for a short time when the path of duty was opened to him, is with the 215th Battalion.  Mr. Rowe of Dufferin school who holds a lieutenant’s certificate and Mr. White assistant principal of Dufferin, who possesses a captain’s certificate both offered their services but failed to pass the doctor’s test.

BX January 10, 1919

On Way Home

Lieutenant Frank Dickson, who left here with the 36th Battalion, is expected home in a few days.  He sailed from England on December 31. Lieut. Dickson was formerly Principal of King Edward School, and it is not known whether he is desirous of reappointment. He received over 40 wounds when a rifle grenade burst in front of him while he was serving with the R.C.R.’s at the front and since his convalescence has been on staff work in England.

BX January 13, 1919

Lieutenant Frank Dickson arrived in the city from Toronto yesterday morning coming from Halifax to Toronto by special train. Lieut. Dickson left his work as a teacher in the city and enlisted in the second contingent.  In January, 1915 he was appointed a subaltern in the Dufferin Rifles.  He was three and a half years in France and returns a welcome hero to his home.  He lived at 151 Brock Street.  In speaking to Inspector Kilmer regarding his return to the city teaching staff, Lieut. Dickson said he had to report in Toronto again today, and he would be unable to make any decision till he had received his discharge papers.

Continue your search

Go back to WWI records search