Ron Dix and Robert Dickinson were prisoners of war together in Italy. After their escape from PG 112/4 Turin they were sheltered by the Bauducco family in Gassino for 13 months.

They left the Bauducco home to fight with the Italian Aldo Brosio partisan brigade. Ron was killed while fighting with the brigade in December 1944; Robert lost his life in a fight in March 1945.

Last week, Robert’s nephew Steve sent me pictures of Ron he received from Ron’s niece, Gina Siddons, who lives in Ellesmere Port, UK.

Until now the sole photograph I had seen of Ron was a headshot accompanying a 1999 article in the Newport News (Essex, England). In the article, written by Ron’s sister Dorothy (see “News of Ron Dix Comes to Light”), we have an intimate glimpse into Ron’s early years—the life of a boy and young man who was joyful, active, and popular in his school and community.

Gina’s five snapshots are a perfect complement to Dorothy’s story.

As Steve writes, they show us “Ron Dix in civvy life before the war … probably taken in the Safron Waldon area,” where the Dix family lived.

In thinking about Ron, it’s natural to dwell on his time as a POW, dangers he and Robert faced while on the run, and the tragic way they both died.

These new photos enable us to picture Ron in an earlier, happy time—as a relaxed, fun-loving, happy fellow.

For more on Ron, read also “The Bauducco Family ‘Helper’ Compensation Approved” and “Robert Dickinson—The Ongoing Journey.”