Jimmy Dix BEM - No 3 Commando

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 05/04/2013 18:21:35

Dear All,

I am new to the forum, and just to introduce myself. I am a Civil Engineer based in the West Midlands. I have an interest in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment and enjoy researching the regiment. I have numerous Regimental Journals dating from the 1920s.

I currently looking into men from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiments that served in the commandos. I am currently researching Jimmy Dix BEM (No 3 Commando, 4 Troop).

I have found an obituary that details limited information and a copy of Jack Leach MM Obituary where it mentions Dix carried Leach off the battlefield twice.

Any information on Dix (or indeed any Bedfs and Herts Commandos) would be much appreciated. :D

Best Regards,

Craig

This message was edited 12 times. Last update was at 30/11/2017 13:25:55

With regard to these two Commandos have you read the book Storm from the Sea by Peter Young. There are several references to both these men in the book. If you do a search in the box on our gallery page there are 2 photos of Dix. Also the Jack Leach MM that you mention is I would imagine identical to Sgt. John Ernest LEECH MM and bar (note the difference in spelling of the surname). He received the bar to his MM for his bravery whilst with 3 Cdo. on D day and D day +2. His first award of the MM was for his actions at Calabria in Italy in 1943 whilst a Trooper. His citations can be found in the book Cmmando Gallantry Awards of WW2 by George Brown.

Some other No.3 Cdos. from the Beds and Herts are
L/Cpl Craft MM kia at Syracuse - [view archive entry]
L/Cpl. Lionel Underwood kia Normandy - [view archive entry]
Peter Gibson - [view gallery entry]
Donald Trustram - [view gallery entry]
Pte Ivan Fennessey - [view gallery entry]

From No.2. Cdo:
Lt. Philip Walton kia St Nazaire - [view archive entry]
Pte Lionel Bowman kia Salerno - [view archive entry]
Harry Lumm - [view gallery entry]

There is also a link to some gravestones of other Commandos who originally served with the Beds and Herts. on our site. If you go to this link and type in Befordshire in the search box you will find the headstones :
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php

In the book Commando - Memoirs of a Fighting Commando in WW2 by Brigadier John Durnford Slater you will find several others from the Beds and Herts

Good luck with your research. If during your research you find any pictures of Commandos that we do not have , or information about Commandos, we would be most interested in remembering them on our site

Regards

Thank you Pete,

No have not read that book, will have to find a copy to add to the library, thank you.

Mr J F Dix BEM Obituary - The Wasp Autumn 2002

The ranks of old warriors are further reduced as Jimmy Dix as he was affectionately known to many of us has left to join the Advance Party. He had been unwell for many months as he was taken ill very soon after he was admitted to The Royal Hospital Chelsea. He died on Sunday 28 July 2002.

Jimmy saw service in the Northampton and Suffolk Regiments before becoming a 'Bedford'. He was one of a group of splendid soldiers of the Regiment who volunteered for service with the Army Commandos and was awarded a BEM for bravery in action. It was here that he served alongside Jack Leech forming a close friendship which helped sustain them both through the adversities of the years.

As a Colour Sergeant serving with the 1st Battalion in Egypt he was selected to act as escort to the 'Colour Party' which attended the Coronation ceremonies of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1952.

He was a Bedford through and through and as a member of the Regimental Museum Committee regularly attended Council Meetings for many years until 2000. He gave many hours of his time to help maintain and update the Regimental Museum at Luton. The final results will be a tribute to his efforts.

Jimmy had a lovely personality and it was always a pleasure to meet him at Regimental functions. We thank you Jimmy for your friendship and for all your devoted work on behalf of the Regimental Association.

We think of his nephew and family at this sad time and offer our sincere condolences.

RHM

Best Regards,

Craig

Hello,
This is a strange coincidence but earlier this week I posted a query regarding an E.James who was originally in 3 Troop and then moved to 4 Troop. He was from the Beds and Herts originally and features in many photographs on this site and quite a few with my father. There is a picture of him with I think, George Webb holding a captured Nazi flag.

If I find out any more info then I will post,

Best wishes,

Steve Lewis

(son of Bill 3 Troop 3 Commando)

Craig,

My Father (5958740 Roy William Lewis) started his military service in the 70th Battalion Beds and Herts before moving to Royal Corps of Signals and then on to 2 S.S. Brigade Signal Troop. Any information you may have on him would be very appreciated.

Regards Vic Lewis

Hello Craig

I took some pictures of JIM DIX, when he came to attend ceremonies in Normandy.
I need to find them, are you interested ?

sincerely

stéphane

All, thank you for your posts:

Steve,

If I find anything on E.James will let you know - I have several regimental journals which I am going through.

Vic,

I may have a little bit on the history of the 70th Bn, will have to check.

Stéphane,

Yes please to the picture of Jimmy Dix. If you have pics (or details) on any other Bedfs and Herts Commando that would be most appreciated.

I have in my collection the medal group to 5953035 Pte Jock Dale (No 4 Commando). He was MiD in Dieppe but any latter information is not know. To date I have not found a picture of him to put with the group.

Best Regards,

Craig

Hi Craig

Dix served with my grandad in 3 Commando, I have 3 individual newspaper cuttings with pictures of when 3 Commando met the queen mum in 1945/6. Taken from the newspapers, I think Dix is right in front of the queen mum and my dad has the actual photo (Better Quality)

Tucker (Grandad) thought highly of Dix and Tucker was not easily pleased. If your researching books I don't think Dix would have been to far away from Troopers Jennings, Osbourne, Scott and Barnes. Talking to Stan it was a close nit community.

For others reading this, the newspaper also includes the following troopers.

If anyone would like copys let me know :)

J. Leech
Hothersall
G Davis
Tucker Jennings
G Vango
Freestone
Dix
Simms
Oatley

Forgot to mention Tucker Jennings was Bed and Herts and I and doing similar research, perhaps we can share notes :)

Thanks P

Hi

I have just been contacted by an ex pat now living in the USA called Brian Moyse, Brian has recently acquired a rather fine 1st pattern FS knife which he believes belonged to Jim Dix of 3 Commando. The reason that he believes this is because he sent a photo of both the knife and its scabbard to Richard Ashley at the Parnham Airfield Museum in Suffolk:

"I sent photos to him and he responded immediately stating that he recognised the scabbard as belonging to Jimmy Dix BEM of 4 Troop 3 Commando and sent me a lot of other info too. Richard says he knew Jimmy and has his Thompson and a sheath knife both marked in the same way"

I have attached some photos of this 1st pattern, including some close up shots of the front and reverse of the distinctly etched Riccaso. If any one has any comments or additional info concerning both this knife and Jimmy Dix then Brian would be extremely grateful.

Cheers Andy

Ps Are there any photos of Jimmy in the CVA gallery?

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 30/11/2017 13:29:36

There are photos of Jimmy Dix in our gallery at the following locations:

Newspaper cutting of post war Commandos meeting HM sent in by Paul Jennings, grandson of Tucker Jennings:
http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/Queen+_amp_+Commandos+2.jpg.html

Veterans Taylor and Dix at Gamaches sent in by Stephane:
http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/3/3+Commando+post+war/TAYLOR-DIX+Gamaches.JPG.html

No.3 Commando 4 troop 1942 sent in by Steve Lewis (there is an identical but better quality copy sent in by Paul Jennings adjacent to it in the gallery)

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/3/trp+photos/No_3+Regimental+-+photo+owner+Steve+Lewis.jpg.html

Hi Pete

I have just found the original photo used in newspaper cutting next to HM.

I will mail it across.

Hi P, Andy,

Just seen your postings and sent a PM. Things have not progressed a great deal due to work commitments and postings.

Will be doing another display to the regiment in a couple of weeks and sorting out writes up and display items.

Regards,

Craig

Hi Craig

Would love to come to the display event if its at all possible?

Hi Paul,

The display I do is purely to the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. It consists of various regimental uniforms, photos medals ect for the period 1919-1958.

I can send you a picture of the last display I did to the regiment.

Regards,

Craig