The Clementson Affair
On 25 September 1907 two police inspectors were witness to statements and certain letters at the offices of Buck & Dicksons, 17, Winckley Street, Preston, Lancashire, England. These were written by George Douglas Clementson aged 27 of Ashton Under Lyne to Ernest Leslie B. Dixon aged 22 of Bushell Place, Preston.
The four letters reveal the seemingly inoffensive infatuation of George Clementson towards Leslie Dixon. Although the letters ramble along somewhat they do reveal in Victorian and Edwardian times how difficult it was for an unspoken feeling of affection to be expressed. It would appear that George Clementson knew Leslie Dixon socially and possibly through work connections although of course he didn’t reveal his identity until the very end when the two of them were making arrangements to finally meet.
The very fact that these letters were found in the hands of lawyers does indicate that either Leslie Dixon or his family decided to take certain action to end or even prevent a liaison taking place. It was to be another 60 years before homosexuality was to be legally recognised in United Kingdom, although we do know today that relationships and affairs did go on secretly behind closed doors during Edwardian times.
These are fascinating letters written by a love-sick Clementson (who calls himself “X”) to a presumably unsuspecting Dixon (who Clementson refers to as “D”). The style in which they are written are in parts quite beautiful in other parts marginally offensive and obscene to the untrained eye! But they do reveal an underlying Edwardian culture that had to remain underground for another two generations.
It’s difficult to work out whether Clementson’s love for Dixon was ever returned. It is my view that although it appears the two men were making arrangements to actually meet (through disguised private advertisements in the press) I think in actual fact a third party intervened and the whole affair was brought to an abrupt end. The third party could well have been Dixon’s family who got wind of what was going on.
By clicking on the thumbnails below you can read the actual handwriting of George Clementson in his first letter to “D”. On top of the letter it says “Private and confidential. For the eyes of Mr Leslie Dixon alone from Mr X”). The other following three letters have been transcribed by the lawyers in 1907. The entire collection will be transcribed and placed online here very soon.
On that day in September 1907 George Clementson signed the following statement (transcribed):
25:IX:07
I George Douglas Clementson confessed to having written to ELB Dixon obscene and gracious letters causing as I have lately heard much agitation and irritation to the said ELB Dixon and several other persons whom he was obliged by force of evidence to consider the (?) Of the said letters.
In consideration of ELB Dixon staying legal judgement I submit myself to any punishment he (ELB Dixon) may feel fit.
Signed GD Clementson
Ernest Leslie B. Dixon
Edward Caley – witnessesInspector Walls 25.9.07
Inspector Cross 25.9.07(written in red ink)
Note: the two inspectors did not witness the signature of the document. I understand they merely signed it and dated it to show they had seen it on that date. (initialled) AB
written on the outside of all the documents is the following:
“Copies of the letters which are subject of the action”
For now please click the following for images to see the full size first letters written by George Clementson (please be advised that readers should be over 18 as this historic content could be considered to be of ‘adult’ in nature):
What Became of George Clementson and Leslie Dixon
The fate of Leslie Dixon unfortunately is very sad. He had served in the First World War and was discharged “on account of disability”. He is described as “single and journalist”. His war records show him of exemplary character. Leslie died in London of tuberculosis in 1920, unmarried, at the age of 30. Leslie Dixon did not leave a will and died intestate. By 1920 both his parents were deceased and his estate was left to his brother Francis who died in 1960.
The 1911 UK census shows George Clementson living at home with his parents and the rest of his family (aged 31). He is described as an “out of work solicitor”. It is possible (although not totally confirmed) that George died in 1943 aged about 60 in Lancashire. It is also possible that, according to the 1911 census, he also had some form of “illness” although this also is not confirmed as the details are not publicly available. Quite likely George Clementson was unable to find work as a lawyer after this event in 1907
