In memory of
Major Robert Dickson, D.C.M.
7th Durham Light Infantry
†May 27th 1918, age 26
Son of James and Janet Dickson, Blyth Bridge
Remembered with honour at
LA-VILLE-AUX-BOIS BRITISH CEMETERY
Major Robert Dickson, Distinguished Conduct Medal, Durham Light Infantry, whose remarkable military career was brought to an end by his being killed in action in France on 27th May 1918 was the elder son of Mr James Dickson, Blyth Cottages, Dolphinton. Of all the lads that went from Peeblesshire, perhaps no one found his career more decidedly in the army than did this young man and his record will bear comparison with some of the best achievements of our Scottish civilians soldiers. It was not his to win the Victoria Cross but he was the stuff Victoria Crosses were made of – a man of utter fearlessness, outstanding coolness and proved resource. He was born at Blyth in Peeblesshire on 27th February 1892. A keen Territorial before the war, he was mobilised with his unit the 1/8th Royal Scots (Territorial) and went to France early in November 1914. He fought continuously there until his lamented death in May 1918, and in those three and a half eventful years he won the Distinguished Conduct Medal and attained the rank of Major. Prior to the war he spent all his years in and around his home as a farm hand and latterly in the employment of Misses J & M Noble, merchants, Blyth Bridge. He was a keen and successful athlete being a particularly fine runner. But his hidden greatness it took the war to call forth. From the beginning he threw himself into it with zest, as it proceeded it increasingly called forth his best, in the end it claimed himself – a fate from which he never shrank. His is one of the proudest romances of the war. He died at 26.
