Johnny Dixon with the island's rubbish cart. He is touching his hat to the photographer.

The view is looking across Kingsland Road with Upland House just off to the right. French's show shop in the centre of the picture has flags flying, presumably for the 1935 Jubilee. Just to the right of Johnny Dixon is the tall wooden screen that Upland House erected in front of their neighbour's window so that they couldn't be overlooked.
Johnny Dixon was born in March 1867 to Charles Dixon he followed his father as an agricultural labourer, living in 'road near Mill' in 1881 at 14 years. In 1888 he married local girl Elizabeth Wright and in 1891 census he was a 'porter' living in Colchester Rd, West Mersea. In actual fact he had a horse and cart and was working his way up the ladder of success by being the local 'carrier' of goods, collector of refuse etc.. In 1901 aged 34 he lived in Butchers Road (I think this may be what we now call Rainbow Road ) and was 'Job Master of Stables employing men.' I have yet to complete his story in my Family History but record his death in 1954 aged 87. I do remember him as a very old man in an armchair, full of nonsense with a twinkle in his eye. I believe his only error was to stay with horses when the motor vehicles became more popular and that he lost much of his work to Underwood and Rudlins the Carriers. His eldest son was Edwin John Dixon, my grandfather. [Carol Wyatt née Dixon, great granddaughter].
Date: cMay 1935