Mention in despatches oak leaf: Colonel Graham Patrick Dixon, Anzac Mounted Division

Full sized bronze oak leaf emblem indicating the award of Mention in Despatches. Worn on the ribbon of the Victory Medal.

Born in Brisbane, Queensland in 1873 Graham Patrick Dixon graduated as a doctor in 1896. By 1900 he had begun work as a surgeon at the Brisbane Children's Hospital, set up a general practice at Maryborough and joined the Australian Army Medical Corps (militia) as a captain. In 1910 he studied in England, Scotland, France and Switzerland, returning to Brisbane to practice as a consulting surgeon.

Dixon enlisted in the AIF shortly after the outbreak of war in 1914 and joined the 3rd Field Ambulance. He sailed for Egypt with the first contingent in late September and was promoted major in October. Dixon was one of the first doctors to land at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. He remained there until the evacuation from the peninsula at the end of the year. In January 1916 he was appointed lieutenant-colonel and commander of the 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance. He was mentioned in despatches for his actions at the battle of Romani in August where he showed 'considerable devotion to duty and praiseworthy handling of his unit during the recent operations and particularly in the Battle of Romani on August 4th. He showed gallantry in personal supervision of the wounded under fire on that date and much resource and tenacity in so doing. The Brigadier of the 1st Light Horse Brigade makes testimony to the excellence of his conduct throughout this battle.' Dixon was mentioned in despatches a second time at the end of the war.

In July 1917 Dixon was appointed assistant director of medical service for the Anzac Mounted Division as a temporary colonel. He followed the Palestine campaign until April 1918, when his rank was confirmed. He was invalided to Australia in July. In September he was recommended for the award of Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The recommendation reads 'For devotion to duty. His arrangements for the care of the wounded have always been well thought out, and have proved him to be a very capable officer. His work during the period of the ES SALT operations was particularly good and deserves recognition.'

In December 1918 Dixon was employed at the 6th Australian General Hospital in Brisbane. He also became a surgeon at the Repatriation Hospital at Rosemount, a position he retained for twenty seven years. Graham Dixon died in 1947.