Robert Dixon and Deborah Ross were young twenty somethings who came to Canada in the nineteen tens for opportunity and adventure. They arrived here with very little money and, as far as we know, no direct connections to the country. At the time Canada was desperate to welcome young people, just like them, willing to work as farm labourers or domestic servants. In their new world in London Ontario Deborah and Robert meet, fall in love, and are about to be married. In their old world, the one they thought they had left far behind, events take place that change everything. In my mind those events, that lead to a Declaration of a Great War, had nothing to do with them, though I suspect they would disagree. For this patriotic young couple there was no decision to be made, no discussion to be had about their loyalties and what they should do next. It was obvious. Of course Robert should go and enlist and fight. They would do it for their King. They would do it for the British Empire. They would do it for their new country. And they would do it for all of us – their descendants. This is the proud story of their strength and resilience. This is the story – as best we know it – of Deborah Ross – Robert Dixon and the Great War.
As I have no personal knowledge of either Deborah or Robert this story is based on historical records, documents, Sergeant Dixon’s WW1 Personnel Records, and of course, where necessary, my own imagination. Please let me know if you have anything to add or correct.