Lance Corporal Alfred Boon Dix, 11th East Lancs (Accrington Pals)

18017 Lance Corporal Alfred Boon Dix
11th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment
Killed in action 1 July 1916
Aged 39

Lance Corporal Dix was born in Nantwich and was the husband of Mrs J Dix, of 5, New Park St, Blackburn, Lancs. The couple had two children.

He is buried at Queens Cemetery, Puisieux.

Private Dix was a member of the Accrington Pals. The regiment attacked the fortified village of Serre on 1 July 1916. Of the 720 men who took part in the attack, 584 were killed, wounded or missing.

The War Diary of the Battalion states: total casualties: Officers killed 7, missing 1, wounded 13 including the Commanding Officer. Other ranks killed 86, wounded 338, missing 140.

Dix was one of those initially listed as missing. A report in the Blackburn Times of 2 May 1917 states:

‘Alfred Boon Dix, East Lancashire Regiment, who was posted as missing on July 1st, 1916, is now officially reported "presumed killed on that date". He was 38 years of age, and before enlisting was a tailor's presser, in the employ of Mr Matthews, Barnet, Clayton-street. Enlisting in January, 1916 [?], deceased was first drafted to Egypt, in December last, where after a stay of about three months he was transferred to France.’

The War Diary of the 11th East Lancs refers to some men making it to the German front line on 1 July 1916, but not being heard of again. It is possible that lance-corporal Dix was one of these.