US consulate leads tributes after death of 100-year-old Second World War veteran

Tributes have been paid to one of Northern Ireland’s last Second World War veterans after his death at the age of 100.

Teddy Dixon was born in New York and served in the US army despite growing up in Northern Ireland.

His family moved to Belfast when he was a young child but he received a draft notice in 1944 and went on to help to liberate the Dachau concentration camp.

The US consulate in Belfast tweeted a tribute to Mr Dixon.

“Today we mourn New York-born Teddy Dixon who served in the US Army 42nd ‘Rainbow’ Infantry Division. After liberating 33,000 people from the horrors of Dachau concentration camp, he returned to East Belfast a hero. We will remember his service and selfless heroism.”

Local DUP councillor David Brooks also tweeted a tribute.

“My generation will never know the fullness of the debt we owe to men like Teddy who risked all to defeat the Nazis. A hero,” he said.

Mr Dixon landed in France with his unit in December 1944 before advancing across the continent to Germany in 1945.

As well as helping to liberate the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau near Munich, he also played a role in the recovery of a treasure trove of looted art stored in salt mines during the conflict.

Mr Dixon’s death comes less than a week after the passing of his friend and fellow war veteran Bill Eames, from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.

Mr Eames, 97, served as an RAF pilot and was involved in the securing of Pegasus Bridge in 1944, among many other missions.