Flying Officer Henry Peter Dixon – 607 Squadron
Born in 1915, the son of John Reginald and Elsie Margaret Dixon, of Heighington, County Durham, Peter Dixon was a pre-war pilot of the Auxiliary Air Force serving with 607 (County of Durham) Squadron. Called to full-time service in late August 1939, he took part in some of the first patrols of the war flying Gloster Gladiator biplanes.
During the latter months of 1939, known as the Phoney War, 607 and 615 Squadrons were deployed to France and Peter was attached to the latter at Merville on 15 November 1939. He saw action throughout the fighting in May 1940 and claimed three enemy aircraft destroyed, two shared destroyed and another two damaged, all Heinkel He 111 bombers. 607 Squadron were withdrawn to the UK in late May 1940 due to heavy losses and the untenable situation in France with Peter transferred to No 145 Squadron based at RAF Kenley. Almost immediately he was involved in air operations to cover the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) at Dunkirk, the air combat being particularly savage as the Luftwaffe tried desperately to stop the Allies withdrawing from the port. He was shot down on 31 May 1940 and the 25-year old died next day from his injuries; he had suffered from severe burns.
He is buried in the Dunkirk Town Cemetery.