He was born in Beirut , Lebanon and was taken at a young age to Damascus , Syria where his father was Consul .
Dickson was one of six children of John Dickson , a diplomat in the Levant from 1872 -- 1906 , and Edith Wills .
Dickson was born in Beirut , Lebanon and was taken at a young age to Damascus , Syria where Dickson 's father was Consul .
Dickson was one of six children of John Dickson , a diplomat in the Levant from 1872 -- 1906 , and Edith Wills .