18/02/2026
Plot Con C Grave No. 20 Block 36.
Alexander Dick, a coal trimmer of 54 Marion Street, aged 56, lost his life on the 28 April 1916 whilst trying to save the life of a young lad who had fallen into the Docks. The lad was saved with the help of another coal trimmer, but unfortunately Alexander got into difficulty and drowned. Buried in St Woolos Cemetery on 2 May 1916. He received a posthumous Carnegie Hero Award.
South Wales Argus, 28 April 1916.
DIED TO SAVE ANOTHER.
DROWNED IN THE DOCK.
COAL TRIMMER’S HEROIC END.
At Newport today (Friday) a coal trimmer died heroically, for he saved the life of a lad and was drowned himself while doing so. A lad fell into the dock, and Alexander Dix[Dick] jumped into the water and saved the lad, but sank exhausted and lost his life.
Dix[Dick] saved the life of a second some time ago. His body was recovered and taken home to 54 Marion-street. The greatest sympathy will be felt for the widow and family of young children, and no doubt in due course the case will be brought before the trustees of the Carnegie Hero Fund.
South Wales Argus, 29 April 1916.
NEWPORT DOCK FATALITY
Further information shows that Alexander Dix[Dick], who lost his life in the attempt to save a lad who fell into the North Dock on Friday, was seized with cramp in making his gallant effort and sank. The lad was saved by another coal trimmer, George Berry. The accident took place just 100 yards from the coal tips, near the feeder.
South Wales Argus, 3 May 1916.
DIED TO SAVE ANOTHER.
Appeal for Newport Hero’s Family
The appeal in the South Wales Argus on behalf of the widow and young family of Alexander Dick, who lost his life in the effort to save that of a lad who had fallen into the dock, has already elicited several responses. The circumstances were aptly described by the borough coroner, Mr. Lyndon Moore, when, in his summing up, he said “deceased had made the noblest, greatest sacrifice any man could by laying down his life for another. He would live in the memory of his comrades, and his bravery would be a source of pride to his widow and children. He was sure every citizen would feel the deepest, regret that this local hero was no longer with them.”
It is necessary that the wide sympathy extended to the deceased’s family should take a practical form, and we shall be glad to receive and acknowledge donations sent in on their behalf. Below is a list of sums which have already come to hand :-
Mr. J. H. Vickery, The Norlands, Newport, £2 2s 0d
Mr. D. J. Evans, 33, Alexandra-road, £2 2s 0d
South Wales Argus, £1 1s 0d
Mr. Fred Jones, £1 1s 0d
Mr. B Jones, £1 1s 0d
Mr. Dai Rees, Royal Oak, Pill, £1 1s 0d
Jay and Co., house furnishers, Newport, 10s 6d
Mssrs. W. Scott and Son, 14 Chepstow-road, Newport, 10s 6d
Mr. W. Pope, 25 Charles-street, 10s 0d
Mr. J. Griffin, 10s 0d
Mr. Frank Jones, 10s 0d
Mr. D. R. Evans, 10s 0d
Mr. W, Stour, 10s 0d
Mr. Lew Williams, 10s 0d
Mrs. Meggitt, 5s 0d
Mr. D. Wolloper, 2s 6d
Mr. G. Nicholas, 2s 6d
Miss Rose Stewart, Queen’s Hotel, Newport, 10s 0d
Councillor W. E. Robertson, 10s 0d
Mr. W. H. Thomas, Board of Trade Offices, 2s 6d
Mr. G. H. Wall, 51, Alma-street, 2s 6d
Mrs. Rowe, Newport, 1s 8d
Ald. T. H. Howell, £2 2s 0d
Sir Garrod Thomas, £1 1s 0d
Mr. W. T. Davies, 17, Park View, Pontnewydd, Mon., 1s 0d
Mrs. Plummer, Tredegar Arms, Pill, 10s 0d
Mrs. C. H. Bailey, £2 2s 0d
Mr. W. Lyndon Moore, £2 2s 0d
Mr. J. Bounds, Herbalist, 35 Commercial-road, Newport, 5s 0d
Mr. C. W. Ellis, Mount Pleasant, Newport, 10s 0d
A. S., 5s 0d
Mr. G. W. Brown, Newport, Mon., £1 1s 0d
Gog, Olga, and Herdis, 81, Marlborough-road, 6s 0d
Mr. J., 42 Durham-road, 1s 6d
M. C. Kjelson, King Edward VII-avenue, 5s 0d
Mr. E. G. Nicholls, 72, Commercial-road, £2 2s 0d
CARNEGIE HERO FUND TRUST
AWARD TO ALEXANDER DICK
Alexander Dick, coal trimmer, 54 Marion Street, Newport, Mon., on 28th April 1916 lost his life while endeavouring to rescue a boy drowning at the North Dock, Newport, and William Barry, coal trimmer, 8 Portland Street, Newport succeeded in rescuing the boy.
On the afternoon of Friday 28th April 1916, two boys were fishing at the North Dock, Newport. A companion was watching them when he slipped from a stone on which he was standing and fell into the water. A strong current carried him out.
Alexander Dick, who was near, at once discarded his coat and swam out to the boy’s assistance. On reaching him, he placed him on his back but the strong current swept him off again.
When William Barry saw the boy struggling in the water, he threw off his coat and ran to the spot. He had to run a distance of 200 yards and swim several yards before reaching the boy.
A memorial certificate and an allowance at the rate of 15s per week were awarded to the widow of Alexander Dick, with an additional 2s 6d per week for each of her four children under 14 years of age, until they respectively attain that age. William Barry was awarded an honorary certificate and the sum of £10.
