In memory of Harry Dixon
8th February 2010by Andy Dixon
The listing was posted by English Table Tennis Association
Harry Dixon, the president of the Walsall table tennis league sadly passed away 29 January 2010 aged 93 years.
For anyone who knew Harry that we have not been able to get in touch with and who would like to show their respects, the funeral service will be held at Streetly crematorium on Friday 19th February 2010 at 1:30pm. The wake (celebration) will be at the Whitehouse pub, Bosty Lane, Aldridge immediately after the service.
For anyone who knew Harry that we have not been able to get in touch with and who would like to show their respects, the funeral service will be held at Streetly crematorium on Friday 19th February 2010 at 1:30pm. The wake (celebration) will be at the Whitehouse pub, Bosty Lane, Aldridge immediately after the service.
One of the original founders of the Walsall league (circa 1935). As a player and committee member the league flourished in its peak to 100 teams.
Harry represented the Walsall league in town matches on 147 occasions and in later years took up coaching young players, many of whom owe him a debt of gratitude for imparting to them his deep knowledge of the skills and tactics of the game he loves. He was a fierce competitor who adopted a very tenacious attitude to every game, indeed point, he played – an ideal model for young players who sometimes tend to give up too easily when things are not going their way.
Below is an extract from his memoirs which I would like to share with you. Apart from table tennis he was always helping people throughout his life whenever he could and is fondly remembered for his warmth and selfless understanding of other peoples needs. He was a true gentleman who had a lasting impression on whoever he met. There are scores of such memories which will ensure that he is remembered fondly and with pride. I think after reading it you will understand why I am so proud and honoured to be related to this great man.
It is also worth mentioning that the extract was coerced out of him under the guise of a school project for my son, but was in fact to put his name forward from the Walsall League for an award from the ETTA in recognition of his services to table tennis. An Award which he was presented with in 2006 by ETTA chairman Alex Murdoch (photo above).
The Table Tennis Memoirs of a Great Man, Frank (Harry) Dixon
The Table Tennis Memoirs of a Great Man, Frank (Harry) Dixon
Harry Dixon was born in Walsall on April 26th 1916, midway through the First World War.
At the age of 14 he joined the Caldmore Trinity Methodist Young Men’s Class and helped them to build a hut in the Church grounds that turned out to be the HQ of their sporting activities. Football and cricket teams were quickly formed, both being named Walsall Trinity and played from the foundation year in 1934 until the 1970’s, continuing after the demolition of the Church during World War Two.
In the hut itself, the elders of the church had provided the members with a ¾ size billiards table and a not quite standard size “ping-pong” table. Harry admitted to lacking in skill at billiards so he turned to table tennis. Several of the other members had become useful players and taught him the rules and the scoring system but he never received any coaching.
To his surprise from the start he started winning many of his matches, being able to send his opponents in the wrong direction and easily spotting their weaknesses. News must have spread because he was personally receiving letters and being contacted (no mobile calls or emails then) by members of other church clubs in the Walsall area – St Mary’s the Mount, St Patrick’s and Bridge Street Methodist Presbyterian Church – requesting friendly matches.
One of these matches that stood out in his memory was against the Presbyterians who had some very good players and in charge was an elderly gentleman by the name of Mr Smith, a printer by trade who advised him that he was thinking of forming a league. He asked Harry if he was interested and told him that several teams had been contacted and an invitation had been published in the “Walsall Times” inviting anyone interested to come along. Mr Smith wrote to Harry asking him to attend this meeting to be held at the Presbyterian Church, this was in 1932. The purpose of the meeting was to form a committee and was to be attended by a Mr Maurice Goldstein, the Warwickshire Table Tennis Secretary. Harry was asked to be there in case Mr Goldstein wanted to see what standard the Walsall players had attained, needless to say this was not required but Harry took this as a compliment.
The clubs that attended that meeting were St Mary’s, St Patrick’s, St Matthew’s, F H Lloyds, Springhead and Camp Street all of the Wednesbury & Woden Works and Walsall Trinity represented by Harry. He cannot remember all of the names of the secretaries, just the clubs, but they were all the founder members of the Walsall & District Table Tennis League.
Following the meeting, Mr Goldstein did arrange an exhibition match at the boarded-over swimming baths in Tower Street Walsall. Seeing this standard of play inspired Harry to try to get as close as he could to the top.
During World War Two and just after, from 1939 to 1947, the League ceased to function but was resurrected by the late Don Pritchard. One of the first casualties of the war was a
Mr Prugmayer of the St Matthews club, who was Secretary of the Walsall League and had joined the Royal Navy as soon as war had been declared. He died at sea. His last table tennis act before going to sea had been to present Harry with his trophy for winning the men’s individual title in 1939, a final he reached an additional four times.
After completing his military service Harry started playing again in 1947. He regretted that those missing years were when he was in his prime and unfortunately could never be recovered. Harry went on to represent Walsall on 147 occasions and Life Membership of the league was conferred on him in 1990. He also met and played against one of the finest players in the history of the game – the legendary Victor Barna.
Harry feels that the main things he had accomplished in the sport are being elected as President of the Wednesbury & Darlaston District Table Tennis League and his election as Vice Chairman of the Lichfield TT League. He feels that these demonstrate the fact that he promoted and fostered organised table tennis over a wide area as is required in the rule books of virtually all table tennis leagues!
He also takes pride in the results of the coaching he did in youth clubs in the local area. Much of this time was involved with Manor House YC where he coached numerous players including the former England number one Veteran Lady, Jill Harris. During his stewardship the club won the National Association of Youth Clubs team event 4 years running.
Foremost however he takes greatest pride in helping his eldest son Ray get to a high enough standard to represent England in a veteran series. Also his grandchildren Andrew and Adrian both played for England in their younger days.
Photo: Martin Clark, Harry Dixon, Alex Murdoch
Photo: Martin Clark, Harry Dixon, Alex Murdoch