Canada, Dominion. A South Africa Medal Group To Major Dixon Of The ‘Old Eighteen’, First Graduating Class Of Canada’s Royal Military College

A King’s South Africa Medal, in silver, rim engraved Maj. F.J. DIXON. R. of O., with clasps SOUTH AFRICA 1902, SOUTH AFRICA 1901, measures 36mm (w) x 45.6mm (h – including integral suspension), weighs 41.2 grams, missing ribbon, dark patina, light wear, in overall very fine condition.

Clasps to the Queen’s Africa Medal, in silver, JOHANNESBURG, DRIEFONTEIN, PAARDEBERG, CAPE COLONY all attached, measures 36mm (w) x 28.2mm (h), weighs 11.5 grams, very dark patina, medal and ribbon missing, lowest loops slightly bent inward, in very fine condition.

Miniature group of three: a North West Canada 1885 Medal, in silver, measures 17.5mm (w) x 21.9mm (h – inclusive of suspension), very dark patina, slight residue on reverse, in very fine condition; Queen’s South Africa Medal, in silver, with clasps JOHANNESBURG, DRIEFONTEIN, PAARDEBERG, CAPE COLONY all attached to ribbon, measures 17.8mm (w) x 22.3mm (h – inclusive of suspension), dark patina, residue on obverse, in very fine condition; King’s South Africa Medal, in silver, with clasps SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902 attached to ribbon, measures 17.8mm (w) x 22.5mm (h – inclusive of integral suspension), very dark patina, in very fine condition. All on proper ribbons, swing mounted with single horizontal bar marked SPINK & SON LONDON, bar measures 48.mm (w), weighs 23.9 grams (all miniatures included), pin is trapped in catch, in overall very fine condition.

Accompanied by brief paperwork regarding Dixon’s life.

Footnote: Francis Joseph Dixon, usually called Frank, was born in 1857 in Coburg, Ontario to Anthony Dixon and Mary Dixon [nee. McLoughlin]. In 1871, at the age of 14, he and his family including numerous siblings moved to Belleville Ontario.

While living in Belleville, Dixon became associated with Belleville’s Ontario College. Following his completion of the entrance exams, he was accepted into the first class of the Military College of Canada (known as the Royal Military College in 1878, after the college was granted the right to use “Royal” as a prefix), located in Kingston, Ontario. The College was established at the Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard in 1874, following the withdrawal of British forces from the country in 1870-71. It was agreed upon by the federal government that Canada required an officer training college in country. Dixon was one of eighteen accepted into the first class of military training, which began classes for the first class, now known as the “Old Eighteen” on June 1, 1876.

Dixon was assigned the regimental number 15, indicating he was not academically inclined. He graduated in 1880 and would have participated in the closing ceremonies that allowed the public to view the cadets performing their duties and activities. This included sword and bayonet fighting, boxing, rapid charging and firing exercises, and mine explosions.

Following this graduation, Canada was unfortunately lacking in demand for positions for these newly trained individuals, as there was no standing Canadian army. Dixon spent years in pursuit of employment, the only related employment he found was as a Lieutenant in the militia. In 1879, he attempted to gain position with the North West Mounted Police (later the Royal Canadian Mounted Police), however he was informed there were no vacancies at the time. He applied for a commission with an up-and-coming military school in Belleville but was again unsuccessful. In 1884, Dixon attempted to gain a commission with the contingent of “voyageurs and militia officers” soon to be sent to Sudan. This attempt, like the ones previous, were futile.

The North West Rebellion led by Louis Riel in 1885 provided the opportunity that Dixon was so vehemently seeking. He started as a Staff Lieutenant in a convalescent depot in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Over the course of the next year, Dixon held numerous positions including Staff Officer, Supply and Transport Officer, Chief Commissariat Officer, Orderly Officer, Pay Officer, and Secretary of the War Claims Commissioner. It is speculated he was transferred so frequently due to incompetence. He was awarded the North-West Rebellion for his service.

Dixon is noted as the president of the Royal Military College Club in 1895 to 1897, as well as being the editor of the Canadian Military Gazette in the latter year. In 1898, he attended the founding meeting for the Montreal Military Institute.

After a roughly fourteen-year hiatus in military experiences, Dixon was employed as a historical recorder, to accompany troops in South Africa in 1899. At this time, he was assigned to write a history of the Canadian involvement in South Africa. Two years into his service, he was promoted to Major “in view of his services in the field in South Africa and his military qualifications”.

The Royal Military College of Canada Review (1926) edited by Professor W.R.P Bridger states that Dixon served as “Staff Captain of Railways for the Kimberley District, extending from Orange River to Bulawayo, and overall distance of 800 miles. Transferred from Cape Town to Beaufort West at Head-Quarters as D.A.A.G of Railways for a district 455 miles in length from De Aar to Wellington, A District infested with Boers more than any other. Upon the abolition of the Military Railway Staff in South Africa, he was appointed Resident Magistrate at Wakkerstroom on the Natal Border, a position like a Country Court Judge, Police Magistrate, Marriage Officer and Revenue Collector, considered one of the most desirable Civil Service appointments.”

After the war, Dixon chose to remain in South Africa, at first unbeknownst to Canadian officials. In the early 1900s, a newspaper issue was published titled “Where is Major Dixon” asking for public information regarding his whereabouts. Shortly thereafter Canadian officials inquired into the progress of his war history. In 1904, Dixon replied stating that his “absence from Canada in South Africa will prevent [him] from doing so.”

Dixon died on May 22, 1916 in Pretoria hospital, at the age of 59. His death note provides his occupation as Assistant Resident Magistrate in Pretoria. Dixon will be forever remembered by the cadets graduating the Royal Military College, as it is tradition to memorize the names of the “Old Eighteen”.