Lieutenant-Colonel G.F.T.B. Dickson
7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers

Bullets spattered on the wall of the house within a few inches of him and one burst of MG fire shot away the rubble of bricks on which he was standing. One bullet from this burst slightly wounded him in the leg. But Col. Dickson remained unperturbed and continued to direct his fire and encouraged his men in their assault. The crossing was made, but there can be no doubt that it succeeded because of Col. Dickson’s outstanding bravery and fine example. 

(D.S.O. citation, 1 March 1945)

Born on 3 August 1914 in London, George Frederick Thomas Benson Dickson was a Territorial Army officer, commissioned with Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1934. He became acting captain in June 1940 and after a period as battalion adjutant he attended staff college. He was promoted to temporary major in late 1941, and commanded a company 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, which deployed to Normandy in later June 1944.

After Lieutenant-Colonel A.H. Williams was wounded in action on 19 July, Dickson assumed command. For the capture of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in late October he earned the Distinguished Service Order: “Throughout this period, he displayed courage and determination which inspired his men to fight on gallantry. On two particular occasions his courage and disregard for his own safety were directly responsible for wrestling from the enemy vital points which he wanted to hold.”

Just days after the awarding of the D.S.O., Dickson was fatally wounded and died on 6 March 1945.