We regret to advise of the death of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Ewen Dickson, MiD, CD, RCE (Ret'd) on 7 June 2007, in Halifax at age 94. Henry was a decorated WW II Royal Canadian Engineer veteran who continued to serve his country after the war in the Militia.
A young boy who ran the open fields of Myra Gut in Cape Breton NS, Henry grew into the man who worked the coal mines to pay his way through university and to graduate with highest honours from Nova Scotia Tech in Engineering. Henry served his country and the Royal Canadian Engineers overseas during WW II and it was believed that at one time he was the youngest commanding officer among the armies of the British Empire during WW II.
Lieutenant [Acting Major] Dickson was Commanding Officer of the 3rd Fortress Company (Electrical and Mechanical) in Halifax, NS at the start of the war where he recruited for both his own company and the 9th Searchlight Company Royal Canadian Artillery. He was involved in the reconnaissance and planning of the coastal defences for Newfoundland in 1940. In June 1942 he formed 2nd Corps Troops Field Park Company (formerly 7 Field Park Company) in Halifax. Among his other appointments Maj Dickson was Commanding Officer of 1 Chemical Warfare Mortar Company but saw most of his action on the Continent as Commanding Officer of 29th Field Company throughout Northwest Europe. Wounded earlier and fresh out of hospital, Henry's company built the first bridge in the Canadian Corps sector over the Seine, just south of Rouen.
An honoured veteran of the Second World War, Henry’s ingenuity, skill and courage on the front lines resulted in his being Mentioned in Dispatches and reported in the national media. After the war, Henry commanded the Reserve Force 1 Field Company in Saint John, NB (1946-48) and commanded 5th Field Engineer Regiment Halifax (1955-57).
Henry owned and operated Eastern Equipment Ltd. that operated in Nova Scotia and the Eastern Seaboard of the US throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Following retirement, Henry remained active with his business interests and investments until his 95th year of life.
Visitation is on 11 June in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor St., Halifax. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery. Donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of choice. {khNov2016}