Robert Francis Dickinson MM

Age 48        Married

Company Sergeant Major 240803
“B” Coy. 2nd/5th Bn., East Lancashire Regiment

Killed in action on
Sunday 31^st March 1918

Robert was born at his parents' home, 9 Pendle Street East, Sabden and lived there until his marriage to Ellen. They set up home together at 46 Padiham Road, Sabden.  After leaving Sabden County School Robert was employed as a weaver at Cobden Mill, Sabden. 

At the outbreak of the Boer War, Robert joined the East Lancashire Regiment and served throughout the South African Campaign before moving on to India.  On returning home he resumed his career as a weaver. 

Robert at once re-enlisted in to his old regiment and, due to his previous experience and age (44), he was made an Instructor of Recruits and was promoted to Company Sergeant-Major, serving in various camps around the country.  After having several requests turned down, he was eventually posted to France.  He had been there only a few months when in October 1917 he sent his wife the following letter, 

“You will be surprised to hear from me so soon, as I have sent you two letters already this week, but I promised to let you know the good news which I mentioned in my last letter.  In the big push on the 9^th of this month, I was recommended by the commanding officer for some work I did on the day that Joe Nixon was wounded.  If you see him he will tell you what it was like.  The news came through today.  I have got the Military Medal.  I was told to put the ribbon up, so that you see they have to depend on the old ones yet.”

Joe Nixon, who was mentioned in the letter, was badly wounded in both legs.  After recovering in hospital, he returned to the Suffolk Regiment and in June 1918 was seriously wounded again.  He was married with five children and lived at 14 Thorn Street, Sabden. 

Mrs Dickinson received the last letter from her husband, dated 20^th March 1918.  After having heard nothing for several months she placed several appeals for news of Robert in the Burnley Express.  It wasn’t until June 1919 that official news was received that Robert was believed to have been killed in action, between March 21^st and 31^st 1918. 

Robert has no known grave and he is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.

In Sabden he has been remembered on both the School and Church Plaques.