Dickinson, John - Private

(No soldier photo available)

5th. Bn.

Northamptonshire Regiment

Died 14 October 1944

Age 20

On 12 October Pte. John Dickinson's battalion was given the task of capturing the rocky height of Monte Le Piere (Point 508), south of Bologna, Italy. The first attack failed, and 0420 hours on 14 October was set as zero hour for a second attack. At 0405 a supporting artillery barrage opened up. Unfortunately, shells from the barrage fell amongst the British troops. At the same time there was heavy fire from German artillery, mortars and machine guns. After sustaining many casualties, it was clearly impossible to advance. It was also impossible to execute the original plan because of the approaching daylight, so they were ordered to withdraw. John lost his life at this time.

John was the son of John and Alice Dickinson of Rising Bridge. He was 20. As a boy he attended St.Peter's School, Accrington. Before he enlisted in 1940 he worked as a window cleaner for a local man, Mr. Todd. N.B. John's brother, S.Q.M.S. Richard Dickinson, died in an accident in January 1944.

John lies in Santerno Valley War Cemetery, Italy. Almost 300 men who died in the battles in the surrounding area are buried in the cemetery. John is buried in Plot 1, Row C, Grave 10.