1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
15/07/1887
Died:
09/07/1916 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
29
Summary
William Tillie Dickson was the son of James and Annabella Graham (nee Tillie) Dickson. He was born about 1887. His father was a local magistrate, a Member of Parliament and a linen manufacturer (Dickson & Co). They lived at Miltown House, Dungannon.The 1911 census records 23 year old William Tillie as working as a linen manufacturer William Tillie Dickson married Elizabeth Dickson, of 46, Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, London.
Further Information
William Tillie Dickson was the elder son of James Dickson and Annabella Tillie. They were married in Derry city on 18th April 1884. William was born on 15th July 1887 in Dungannon.
His father James Dickson was a Justice of the Peace, a local magistrate, a Member of Parliament and a linen manufacturer (Dickson & Co). They lived at Milltown House, Dungannon. William was the grandson of the Rt. Hon T A Dickson, M.P.
Family: James Dickson, Ella Dickson, Violet Dickson (born 11th March 1885), William Tillie Dickson (born 15th July 1887), Thomas Cedrick Harold Dickson (born 7th March 1889), Jessie Reed Dickson (4th December 1890).
James Dickson died 10 January 1901 Sydney, Australia aged 68. He was buried in Nundah Cemetery, Brisbane on Saturday 12 January 1901. Nine days before he died, Dickson was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George 1 January 1901.
The 1901 census does not list the 14 year old boy as living with the family.
He was educated at Uppingham. Founded in 1584, it was one of the leading British boarding schools. It is located in Rutland, near Leicester in England.
The 1911 census records 23 year old William Tillie as working as a linen manufacturer He was still single at this point.
William Tillie Dickson is listed as a member of the Masons - Lodge 9, Dungannon
William Tillie Dickson married Elizabeth Dickson (nee Coey/Corey), of 46 Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, London. She was the daughter of Mr Edward Corey D.L., Merville, Whitehouse.
In the political crisis he took his part, and when the Ulster Volunteer Force was formed, he was elected to be company commander and threw the same diligence and enthusiasm into the work as he did with his own business. He was a prominent member of the U.V.F. and commanded C Company of the Dungannon battalion.
He was a prominent member of the U.V.F., and commanded C Company of the Dungannon battalion.
1914
William Dickson, not waiting for the War Office to sanction the formation of the Ulster Division, was amongst the first to to volunteer at the outbreak of war.
Lieutenant Dickson obtained a commission and after training went to the Dardanelles with his regiment in August 1915, and took part in the landing at Suvla Bay and subsequent operations. While there he contracted dysentery and had to be invalided home.
He went through a period of recuperation and joined the reserves in Buncrana, ready to go out to the front again. He returned to the front in France in February 1916.
From the Dungannon Courier, Thursday 3rd September 1914:
The departure from Dungannon on Wednesday afternoon (2nd Sept 1914) of over 100 members of the Dungannon Battalion, Ulster Volunteer Force for Omagh for the purpose of joining the new 5th and 6th Battalions of the Inniskilling Fusiliers was marked by a scene of great enthusiasm. The men paraded at the Royal School and headed by the Dungannon Brass Band, and escorted by a large number of members of the battalion, carry rifles and wearing full equipment, marched to the railway station. The station premises were thronged by an enormous crowd and as the train steamed off, hearty cheers were raised, the band playing “See the Conquering Hero Come” and “Auld Lang Syne” and detonators were exploded. A number of battalion officers have enrolled with the men and accompanied them including Mr Robert Stevenson (second in command) Messrs R H Scott, W T Dickson and V Acheson (Company officers) and Mr W Porter (half-company officer).
1915
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th August 1915: Marriages (T C H Dickson – brother of W T Dickson)
DICKSON – SINCLAIR - 23rd August, by special license, at 38 Windsor Park, Belfast, by Rev A H Dill, M.A., assisted by Rev Robert Workman, M.A., uncles of the bride, T C H Dickson, Second Lieutenant, 4th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, younger son of James Dickson, Milltown House, Dungannon, county Tyrone, to Mary, only daughter of John Sinclair, 38 Windsor Park, Belfast.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 13th September 1915: Home from the Dardanelles
Lieutenant William T Dickson, 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers has returned home to Dungannon, invalided owing to an attack of illness contracted at the Gallipoli Peninsula. He took part in the famous landing at Suvla Bay and in the subsequent fighting, but on the fourth day he developed symptoms of illness , and was removed on board ship and sent to England. Lieutenant W T Dickson, who is the eldest son of Mr James Dickson, J.P., Milltown House, Dungannon, and grandson of the late Right Honourable T A Dickson, commanded C Company of the Dungannon U.V.F., and was one of the first members of that battalion to volunteer for active service at the outbreak of the war. He enlisted as a private in the 6th Inniskilling Fusiliers, and afterwards received a commission.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th September 1915: – Lieutenant W T Dickson Home Again
Lieutenant William T Dickson, 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, returned home to Dungannon on Friday evening, invalided owing to an attack of fever contracted at the Gallipoli Peninsula. He took part in the famous landing at Suvla Bay and in the subsequent fighting, but on the fourth day he developed symptoms of illness, and was removed on board ship and sent to England. Lieutenant Dickson, who is the eldest son of Mr James Dickson, J.P., Milltown House, Dungannon, and grandson of the late Right Honourable T A Dickson, P.C., commanded C Company of the Dungannon Battalion U.V.F., and was one of the first members of that battalion to volunteer for active service at the outbreak of the war. He enlisted as a private in the 6th Inniskilling Fusiliers, and afterwards received a commission and subsequent promotion.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 23 September 1915:
Lieut. W.T. Dickson (son of Mr J Dickson J.P., Milltown House) 6th Inniskilling Fusiliers, has returned home to Dungannon invalided owing to an attack of illness contracted at the Gallipoli Peninsula.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 23 December 1915: Two Officers and a Nurse from One Family
Another example of Dungannon patriotism is the sacrifice made by Mr James Dickson, J.P., Milltown House, who has given his only sons and daughter to the service of King and country. The eldest son, Lieutenant W T Dickson, 6th Inniskilling Fusiliers (who is married to a daughter of Mr Ed Coey, Belfast), not waiting for the War Office to sanction the formation of the Ulster Division, was amongst the first to volunteer to volunteer at the outbreak of war. He obtained a commission and after training went to the Dardanelles with his regiment in August last, and took part in the famous landing at Suvla Bay, and subsequent operations. While there he contracted dysentery and had to be invalided home, and is now at Buncrana with the reserves, ready to go out to the front again.
The younger brother, Lieutenant T C H Dickson, 4th Dublin Fusiliers (who is married to a daughter of Mr John Sinclair, Belfast), also promptly offered his services on the outbreak of hostilities, and joined the Australian Hospital Corps, and after being three months at the front, obtained a commission in the Dublins. He passed through the Hythe Musketry School with the highest honours, and is at present instructor in machine gunnery at Sittingbourne, Kent.
Miss Jessie Dickson went to France with the staff of the U.V.F hospital at Pau early in the war, and after six months strenuous service there in nursing French soldiers, came home and subsequently joined the British Hospital for nursing French soldiers at Arc-en-Barrois, where she is now stationed, within sound of the guns.
1916
William Dickson was very severely wounded at the Somme and had his right leg amputated, and was removed to a casualty hospital in France.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 13 July 1916:
Lieutenant W T Dickson, Inniskilling Fusiliers, was very severely wounded and had his right leg amputated, and is in hospital in France. He is the eldest son of Mr James Dickson, Milltown House, Dungannon, and has been engaged with his father in the linen business in the town. He was a prominent member of the U.V.F., and commanded C Company of the Dungannon battalion. He was one of the first to volunteer at the outbreak of war, enlisting as a private in the 6th Inniskillings, and accompanied his battalion to the Dardanelles, being subsequently invalided home owing to dysentery.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th July 1916:
Lieutenant W T Dickson, severely wounded, was in the Inniskillings, and is now in hospital. He is the eldest son of Mr James Dickson, Milltown House, Dungannon, and had been engaged with his father in the linen business in the town. He was a prominent member of the U.V.F., and commanded C Company of the Dungannon battalion. He was one of the first to volunteer at the outbreak of war, enlisting as a private in the 6th Inniskillings, and afterwards received his commission. He accompanied his battalion to the Dardanelles, being subsequently invalided for a period. Lieutenant Dickson was a delegate to the East Tyrone Unionist Association, and was a member of the Bush L.O.L. 168.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th July 1916: Captain William T Dickson
Captain William T Dickson, of the Inniskillings, who was wounded in the great action on 1st July, has died at the casualty hospital in France. He was the elder son of Mr James Dickson, J.P., Milltown House, Dungannon, and grandson of the Rt. Hon T A Dickson, M.P. Educated at Uppingham, he joined his father in the linen business and displayed all the qualities which go to make a successful manufacturer. In the political crisis he took his part, and when the Ulster Volunteer Force was formed, he was elected to be company commander and threw the same diligence and enthusiasm into the work as he did with his own business. On the outbreak of war he volunteered for active service before the Ulster Division was formed, and was with his battalion at the famous landing at Suvla Bay on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Subsequently he was invalided home, but returned to the front in February. In the ever memorable charge on 1st July, he was dangerously wounded and, as stated, he has succumbed to the injuries then received. Captain Dickson was married a few years ago to a daughter of Mr Edward Corey D.L., Merville, Whitehouse.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 20 July 1916: Captain Dickson Dies of Wounds
Much regret was occasioned in Dungannon on Wednesday on receipt of the news that Captain William Tillie Dickson, Inniskilling Fusiliers, had died in hospital in France on Sunday from the very severe wounds received in action on 1st July. The deceased officer, who was 29 years old, was the elder son of Mr and Mrs James Dickson, Milltown House, and was married to a daughter of Mr Edward Coey, D.L., Whitehouse, and before volunteering resided with his wife at Dunard, Dungannon. He was educated at Uppingham, and was associated with his father in the linen manufacturing business. Obtaining a commission at the beginning of the war, he took part in the landing at Suvla Bay and was subsequently invalided home owing to an attack of dysentery, and in February last went to France. He took a deep interest in the U.V.F. and commanded C Company of the Dungannon Battalion. His younger brother, Lieutenant Harold Dickson, is serving with the Dublin Fusiliers, while a sister is nursing with the Red Cross.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 20th July 1916:
Sapper William Lewis, Royal Engineers, Ulster Division, Park Road, Dungannon, wounded.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 22nd July 1916:
DICKSON – July 9, died of wounds received in action on 1st July, Captain William Tillie Dickson, dearly loved husband of Elsie H Dickson, Dunard, Dungannon, and elder son of Mr and Mrs James Dickson, age 29.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 29 July 1916: Late Captain William Tillie Dickson - Memorial Service in Dungannon
A special memorial service in connection with the death of Captain William Tillie Dickson, Dunard, Dungannon, 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, (attached to 1st Battalion), which occurred on 9th July from wounds received in action on 1st July, was held in First Dungannon Presbyterian Church on Sunday. There was a very large attendance of sympathetic friends. Special music was rendered, including the hymns, 'Now the Labourer's Task is Over' and 'For All Thy Saints Who From Their Labours Rest', and the psalms 'Lord Thou Has Been Our Dwelling Place' and 'The Lord's My Shepherd'. Rev. Stanley W Thompson B.A., delivered an eloquent address from the text, 'For it became him, for bringing many sons onto glory, to make the captains of their salvation perfect through suffering'. In paying a tribute to the fallen heroes he said:- The air is full of farewells to the dying, and mournings for the dead; the heart of Rachael, for her children crying, will not be comforted'. Unless we ourselves have suffered, we cannot fully understand the depths of sorrow to which so many of our friends have come. We can offer sympathy, but it is a poor paltry offering in return for the great loss they have sustained. It is not strange that for them the world should seem a blank, and human happiness a mirage. I pray that words such as I have spoken may help those who stretch lame hands of faith and grope and gather dust and chaff, and call to what they feel is Lord of all and faintly trust the larger hope. With mournful pride today we keep the memory of Ulster's sons, who gave their lives in this great conflict. Their valour will never die. Their sacrifice sets Ulster a blood red gem in Britain's crown of Empire. Our own town and our own church have given of their best, and few districts have suffered so heavily as Dungannon. Two of those names are inscribed on our Roll of Honour – Private Robert Averall and Captain W T Dickson have already laid down their lives in honour's cause, whilst the third, Lieutenant W Porter, who worshipped with us during his stay in this town, is mourned by one of our families today.
Private Averall I did not know, as he had been killed in action before I came to this church, but I join with those who knew him in paying tribute to his bravery, and commending his relations to the love of God.
During his stay in Dungannon, Lieutenant Porter had won his way to all our hearts. His kind and cheerful disposition made him a ready favourite, and his visits to our town were always welcome. He was severely wounded at the Dardanelles and maintained his bright and uncomplaining character in spite of pain. Ever ready to do his duty, we feel confident that he met his death bravely and passed with joy into the presence of the Unseen. We tender our deepest sympathy to his sister, Mrs Bingham, and all the members of her family.
By the death of Captain Dickson our whole church and neighbourhood have been stricken with grief. He belonged to family held in the greatest respect by all who knew them. The Christian character of his parents, their interest in his church, and their work for the welfare of the town, compel us all to join in their great sorrow. Captain Dickson, like so many of our young men who have fallen, had almost everything that conduces to happiness in this life, and a future bright with promise. But the war came, and the call to service and sacrifice. Among the very first, he responded to the appeal of his country, and putting second the things which make life dear to the young, he entered into the hardship of a soldier's life. It was his lot to see severe fighting in the two spheres of action, first in the Dardanelles , from which he was invalided home, and then in France, where he was privileged to take part in the immortal attack by which we began our victorious advance against the enemy. Though severely wounded, we hoped and prayed that he would be spared to us and those who loved him, but God has ruled otherwise, and we must bow to the will of Him who knows best. Very few details of his last hours have reached us, but Professor Sinclair (an old friend of the family who was with him when he passed away) has written to say that he was quite clear and collected to his last, and just as the church bells commenced to toll for evening service on Sabbath he passed through the veil into the presence of the Lord. We offer our deepest sympathy to his young wife, whose happy married life has been so soon brought to an end, and we pray that she and all his relatives may live in the hope of a brighter day, when in the Resurrection we shall see the angels faces whom we have loved and lost a while. To our other friends in the town and neighbourhood who have lost dear friends, or who grieve for the wounded, or watch anxiously for tidings of the missing, we extend our Christian compassion, and we join with them in the prayer that God may make their future bright, as they learn to know better that Saviour who was made perfect as Captain of our salvation through suffering.
Memorial Service at Whitehouse. In Whitehouse Presbyterian Church on Sunday, a special memorial service was held in connection with the men who had fallen on 1st July. Rev Robert Barron, D.D., conducted the service , and spoke of the gallantry of the Ulster Division, and the honours it had gained in the field of battle on the date mentioned. He specially referred to his own congregation, on whose roll of honour were 110 names. He also referred to the death of Captain William Dickson, who though not as member of the congregation, was bound to it by the closest ties; his father-in-law, Mr Edward Coey, D.L., being a member of session and the treasurer of the congregation. With his young wife, so early and so sadly bereaved, with his father and mother, Mr and Mrs Dickson of Dungannon, with Mr and Mrs Coey, and the other members of his family they joined in deepest sympathy. After the benediction, Miss M McCaughey, who presided at the organ, played the Death March in Saul.
Captain William Tillie Dickson was serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of his wounds on 9th July 1916. He was 29 years old.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 19th August 1916: Second Lieutenant T C H Dickson (brother of William Tillie Dickson)
Official intimation received by his relatives yesterday that Second Lieutenant Thomas Cedrick Harold Dickson, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was wounded on 15th August. A later message stated that his wounds were in the head and thigh and were not dangerous, and it was expected that he would be shortly sent from the clearing station hospital to England. The wounded officer is the younger son of Mr and Mrs James Dickson, Miltown House, Dungannon, and it will be remembered that his elder brother, William Tillie Dickson, 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died on 9th July from wounds received in action. Second Lieutenant Dickson, who is a son in law of Mr John Sinclair, Windsor Park, Belfast, was formerly associated with his father in the linen business at Dungannon. On the outbreak of war he promptly offered his services, and joined the Australian Hospital Corps, and after three months at the front he obtained a commission in the Dublin Fusiliers. He passed through Hythe Musketry School, and was afterwards instructor in machine gunnery at Sittingbourne, Kent
From the Tyrone Courier dated 24 August 1916: (brother of William Tillie Dickson)
Mr James Dickson J.P., Milltown House, Dungannon, received intimation on Friday that his younger son, Lieutenant Thomas Cedrick Harold Dickson, Dublin Fusiliers, was wounded in the head and thigh on the 15th inst. He has since arrived in London where he is in hospital and is making satisfactory progress towards recovery. Lieut. Dickson, who volunteered at the outbreak of war, had served with the Australian Hospital Corps before receiving his commission, and had been a machine gun instructor at Sittingbourne. He is married to a daughter of Mr John Sinclair, Windsor Park, Belfast. His brother, Captain W. T. Dickson, Inniskillings, died of wounds received in action last month.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916: Lieutenant Dickson Wounded (brother of William Tillie Dickson)
Official intimation was received by his relatives by his relatives on Friday that Lieutenant Thomas Cedric Harold Dickson, 4th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (attached to the 9th Battalion), had been wounded in action on Tuesday last. A later message stated that the wounds were in the head and thigh and were not dangerous, and that it was expected he would shortly sent from the Clearing Station Hospital to England. The wounded officer is the younger son of Mr James Dickson and Mrs Dickson, Milltown House, Dungannon, and it will be remembered that his elder brother, Captain William T Dickson, 6th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died on 9th July from wounds received in action. Lieutenant Dickson, who is the son-in-law of Mr John Sinclair, Windsor Park, Belfast, was associated with his father in linen manufacture at Dungannon. On the outbreak of hostilities, he promptly offered his services and joined the Australian Hospital Corps, and after being three months at the front, he obtained a commission in the Dublins. He passed through the Hythe Musketry School with the highest honours and was afterwards instructor in machine-gunnery at Sittingbourne, Kent.
1917
A bed was donated to the U.V.F. Hospital in Belfast through the generosity of Mr James Dickson, J.P., ‘In Memorial’ to Captain Tillie Dickson, Inniskilling Fusiliers.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 26th April 1917: Dungannon and the U.V.F. Hospital
Rifleman Samuel J Davis, writing home from the U.V.F. Hospital, Belfast, after returning from his weekend visit to Dungannon, says that when he approached his bed, he noticed by a card placed at its head that it was ‘In Memorial’ to the late Mr Francis Hale, J.P., Dungannon, a sum of 50 pounds having been given for this benevolent and patriotic purpose by Mrs Hale, one of several such gifts by Mrs and Miss Hale for war purposes. There is another bed through the generosity of Mr James Dickson, J.P., ‘In Memorial’ to Captain Tillie Dickson, Inniskilling Fusiliers, 1st July 1916, while another owes its existence to the generous gift of Messrs Stevenson and Sons. The matron is Miss Johnston, a daughter of Ronald Johnston, Northland Row, Dungannon. There are 35 beds in this ‘Roberts’ ward, all being occupied by limbless soldiers at present. It may be added that Mrs Hale was among the visitors to the hospital last week.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 5th October 1917: (brother of William Tillie Dickson)
Lieutenant T C H Dickson, Royal Dublin Fusiliers (Dungannon), is gazetted captain while holding an appointment as adjutant.
1918
From the Tyrone Courier dated 3rd October 1918:
Captain T C H Dickson, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, a Dungannon officer, has joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers for duty.
The first meeting of the Irish Football Association (IFA) took place on 18 November 1880 at Queen's Hotel, Belfast, presided over by John Sinclair. John Sinclair was the father-in-law of Lieutenant Thomas Cedric Harold Dickson, son of Mr James Dickson, Milltown House, Dungannon.
World War Two
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 20th November 1943: Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Dickson (nephew of William Tillie Dickson)
The engagement is announced between Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Dickson, Royal Armoured Corps {second son of Major T C H Dickson, M.C., and Mrs Dickson, of Milltown House, Dungannon), and Rosemary Cadbury, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs W E Greeves, of Ardeevin, Portadown
The CWGC record Captain William T Dickson as the son of James Dickson, D.L., of Miltown House, Dungannon, County Tyrone, and husband of Elizabeth Dickson, of 46, Cranley Gardens, South Kensington, London.
