Flying Officer Robert Samuel Dixon


Bob Dixon - Joe Hoar 8Bob Dixon, [ca. 1934] representing Canada at the British Empire Games. Photo courtesy of Joe Hoar

  

 Dixon - Joe Hoar 1Bob Dixon, [ca. 1940] after enlistment in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Photo courtesy of Joe Hoar

Birth: December 30, 1909 in Burnaby, BC

Death: January 11, 1941 in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Service: WWII

Service Number: C2988

Biography:

Robert Samuel Dixon was a well-known local athlete, who represented Canada at the Empire Games in 1934 where he won the javelin throw and he was also named to the Canadian Olympic Lacrosse team of 1932 although he did not play in the competition. Bob was educated in Richmond, gaining his junior matriculation at Bridgeport High School in 1927. He played lacrosse with several local teams including the Salmonbellies. According to his personal history on file with the Royal Canadian Air Force, he had a variety of occupations including time spent in the Manchurian Airforce, the Vancouver Police Force, physical training director with the Vancouver Athletic Club and finally a stint with the Chinese Airforce during the Sino-Japanese war. He returned to Canada when war was declared in Canada and immediately enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

He was single but his fiancée, Eileen Dudley, who he had met in Shanghai, had recently arrived in Richmond and was living with his parents Mary Hannah and James Dixon of 471 King Road, Eburne. He had applied to the RCAF in October 1939 for an officer's commission but did not make his attestation until February 7, 1940. Bob enlisted as a Flight Sergeant, Pilot Instructor and was first posted to Camp Borden, Ontario. He was transferred to Winnipeg in October 1940 following his promotion to Flying Officer. He spent much of his time while based at Winnipeg, ferrying planes around Canada. On January 11, 1941 he was killed during a test flight of a Cessna Crane which failed to pull out of a dive over Grosse Isle, Manitoba.  Robert Samuel Dixon is buried at Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver.

History of the Road Name (Dixon Avenue):

  • Council Resolution to adopt road name: Council Minutes February 4, 1946, res. 8711, pg. 45