July 24th 1914 edith to William Edwin Dixon

salisbury, wiltshire to horsham, sussex

63 miles

the message

"Best wishes for today.

With love from 

Edith"

the sender

There are no clues to Edith's identity.

the recipient

William Edwin Dixon (1891-1973) was the son of Richard Albert Dixon (1864-1921) and Charlotte Elizabeth Stanford (1864-1947). Richard, who sometimes used Albert, was a Butcher.

William was living with his parents in 1901 and 1911 at 58/60 Castle Street, Salisbury when he was an Ironmongery Assistant. It was an address where Charlotte was still living in 1939. When this card was sent in July 1914, William was living at 28 Albion Terrace, Horsham. Later that year in October, William was mentioned in the West Sussex County Times and Standard as having gone to war as a Corporal with the Royal Sussex Regiment.

William survived the war, becoming a Transport Sergeant. In October 1919 a card was sent to William at 60 Castle Street where presumably William had returned to live with his parents. It was sent from 28 Albion Terrace. Details can be found here

In October 1920 William was living in Wimborne, Dorset when he married Violet Victoria Gardiner (1897-1981). The wedding took place in Oxford. William was now an Ironmonger.

In the 1939 register Violet is living in Southampton but William is not listed in the household.

William died in Southampton in 1973.

the tree

the places

Salisbury, Wiltshire to Horsham, Sussex

Salisbury, Wiltshire

Horsham, Sussex

what the card says to us

The picture shows the Queen Victoria Memorial in London. In the background, looking rather grey, is Buckingham Palace. On the reverse is a detailed description of the memorial and its history. It appears not to have any connection with the message or the people concerned.

This is a birthday card. It was sent by the unidentified Edith from William’s home town of Salisbury to where he was living in Horsham. She does not seem to be a family member.