One of the war graves in North Luffenham churchyard is that of Squadron Leader Dickson, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). This airman clearly had an eventful career flying in the Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force. His service started on October 23, 1940 and appears to have continued until his death on 26 July 1953.
Commissioned in Jun 1942. I have not verified the fact, but it appears his cause of death was polio. There were epidemics in the 50s of polio. it seems cruel that having survived many 2 wars, operational sorties, night fighters, bad weather and all the other hazards associated with military operational flying that he was cut down by what we now see as preventable disease.
The citation for his Air Force cross is shown below. I have not yet been able to ascertain how many hours he had recorded in this logbook, but clearly flying Wellingtons on operations in 57 Squadron RAF and being awarded his distinguished flying medal (DFM) must be an interesting story.
Followed by the award of a distinguish flying cross (DFC) flying Halifax’s on 419 Squadron also must have many stories. He also received mention in dispatches. I’ll try and see if I can find the citations for these decorations.
it also appears that Dixon had another connection with North Luffenham on 8 October 1942 when he was piloting Wellington X3 719 which hit a power line near North Luffeham. Heavy damage was caused to the aircraft nose, both propellers and starboard main plane but he was not court-martialled.
The award of the Air Force Cross (AFC) relates to outstanding leadership and flying in support of the Korean war airlift. The citation is below. A truly outstanding aviator.
Information provided to me by Don Dickson, nephew of JD in 2024.
JD (Don) Dickson was born the middle of 3 brothers. All three joined the RCAF during WW2. My father, the oldest was a wireless airgunner on maritime patrol. The youngest never left Canada but worked as ground crew. My thoughts go to their mother watching her 3 sons march off after loosing her brother in WW1. His name is inscribed on Menin Gate, his body was never found. Don was the daredevil of the 3. Playing sports, driving cars or anything else he was all in. My father certainly looked up to his little brother. It was not uncommon for Don to buz or land at the family farm .His dying wish was to buried at home back in Hammond River but the RCAF policy was not to repatriate bodies. So my dad erected a tomstione for him here as well.
Born October 29th, 1920, he volunteered in Moncton, October 23rd, 1940 and was in England by August 1941. During the war he flew with RAF 57, and RCAF 419, 435 and 1659 squadrons. Flying Wellington and Halifax bombers he completed his first tour.
One tour of 20 operational missions was all that was required of a bomber crew. This meant that Don was able to be repatriated back to Canada and train other pilots or resign completely. He tried both. After training for a few months and being accepted as a pilot for TransCanada Airline, he rejoined the effort back in England for another tour. This time he was a Flight Lieutenant. By the end of the war he had completed 53 operational sorties over enemy territory. With a statistical 90% chance of surviving each mission, he had a third of one percent of surviving all 53 missions.
Along the way he was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Medal, The Air Force Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross. His record shows a couple of court martials as well. One for drag racing jeeps on the runway and another for flying too low on training runs. But it was not all fun and games. He was seriously injured when the engines failed on a repaired bomber, he was taking up for a test flight. He managed to barely miss houses, crashing the plane in a field. He did not always return with all of his crew. On one mission his co-pilot was killed in the seat next to him and many times he nursed home his battered aircraft and injured crew.
Post WWII he continued with the Airforce in Various roles, including operation Muskox where the air force provide it could create and maintain a base in the artic during the winter. He was the pilot that brought the first jet transport plane to Canada with the arrival of the Comet in May 1953. This was the first jet transport plane of any air force in the world. By the time The Korean War started he was a Squadron Leader and in charge of all Canadian air operations for the war. Canada’s air role was Operation Hawk, the transportation of troops and supplies from the west cost along the Aleutians to Japan and then back via Hawaii. A round trip of more than 70 hours and trip of some 12000 miles in the four engine Northstar transport plane. At this time he was in charge of Air Operations over the Pacific. Don later declined further promotions as it would take him out of the pilot’s seat. “You can not fly a desk”, he said.
Another story about Don was that he was the best man for one of his fellow officers. On the night before the wedding he took the groom out for one last bash. At the end of the evening with the groom pasted out, they stopped at the base hospital. They bandaged up the groom with his torso and one arm in a cast. Then they put the clock in the room ahead and woke him up. The poor guy thought he had missed his own wedding.
In June 1952 he was the best man for his brother Laurence (my dad). That was the last time they would see each other. With over 6500 operational flying hours, he died 26 July 1953; buried North Luffenham. While transporting the Canadian Governor General to England, he took sick from polio meningitis. He died 3 days later.
Distinguished Flying Medal, 16 June 1942
Flight Sergeant Dickson has acted as captain of aircraft on numerous occasions. Throughout his tour of duty he has executed his tasks with the utmost vigour and determination. Undeterred by bad weather he makes every effort to locate his target and to bomb it accurately. He has participated in attacks on Brest, Hamburg, Lubeck, Rostock, Essen, Emden, and many equally important targets.
Distinguished Flying Cross, 1 September, 1943
This officer has taken part in a large number of flying operations. He has penetrated the defences of the Ruhr on eighteen occasions, in addition to participating in attacks on Berlin, Hamburg and Rostock. In March 1943, in the Bremen area, his aircraft was attacked by a Messerschmitt 110. The enemy fighter was destroyed by the front gunner. Shortly after, another attack was made by a Junkers 88. During the combat which ensued, Pilot Officer Dickson again displayed outstanding airmanship and again furnished his gunners with opportunities for retaliation. His skill undoubtedly made a safe return possible. Pilot Officer Dickson’s sustained gallantry over a very long period has been most meritorious.
Air Force Cross, 5 June 1952
Squadron Leader Dickson has served with No.426 Transport Squadron on the Korean Airlift as captain of a North Star aircraft since its inception. He has flown a total of 600 hours over the 11,000 nautical mile route, often through hazardous icing and fog conditions, without mishap. This is a direct reflection on his exceptional ability, resourcefulness and leadership. This officer was recently appointed second-in-command of the squadron, and is now directly responsible for all RCAF operations over the Pacific. His sterling qualities and abilities as a pilot were demonstrated forcibly on a flight from McChord Air Force Base, Washington, to Elmsdorf Air Force Base, Alaska on the 23rd November 1950. As on all trips the aircraft was loaded with troops and vital supplies for the United Nations’ effort in Korea. After completing two hours of the eight hour flight the aircraft encountered most severe icing conditions and head winds. In spite of the weather, Squadron Leader Dickson completed his flight, landing at his destination in a 74-knot gale. All other aircraft flying the route that encountered the same conditions, with the exception of another RCAF aircraft, aborted and returned to their points of departure. Had it not been for the superior skill and determination shown by this officer, a vital load would have been delayed. Squadron Leader Dickson’s qualities of leadership are an inspiring example to the officers and airmen under his command, and his untiring efforts have been an outstanding contribution to the success of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s participation in this operation.