Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: P. Priano
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Arthur Dodds, was the youngest of his siblings, 5 sons and 3 daughters. His parents William Dodds and Ann Watson were both natives of Sunderland, County Durham born 1844 and 1851 respectively and married at Sunderland in 1876. William was a seafaring man, prior to his marriage he had been Leading Fireman aboard the Black Diamond and was living at Gravesend. In 1881 he and his wife and 3 children, Cecilia born in 1877, William Edward 1879 and new born James 5-months old, were living at 54, Sans Street, Sunderland and he was ashore. His wife gave birth to a further 4 children over the next 11 years, Michael 1883, Margaret 1886, Mary 1888 and Frederick Spencer in 1890. In 1891 Ann and her children were living at 57, Back Villier Street, William and Anne’s youngest child Arthur was born in 1892.
William Dodds died aged 65 years in 1910, his widow Ann moved into 1 room at 5, Truitt’s Crescent, Sunderland, supported by Frederick (21) employed as a ship’s painter and Arthur (18) a baker’s errand boy, she had also taken in her grandson James Dodds (11) a scholar.
Anne Dodds nee Watson died just prior to the declaration of war in 1914, Arthur’s elder siblings were married, however, he and James went into lodgings at 17, Green Terrace, Sunderland, Arthur was employed as a motor driver at Robson Brewers, Middlesbrough. The lady of the house a Mary Jane Old was to receive after his enlistment a separation allowance, recognised as Arthur’s foster mother to whom he was in the habit of contributing to her upkeep.
After the declaration of war Arthur did not enlist immediately, he received notice and presented himself at Sunderland, November 16th 1915, giving the details of his brother James as next of kin. He was assigned to Class B Reserve as Private 21587 and would only be called upon in the event of a general mobilisation. Arthur was mobilised and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, February 8th 1916 stationed at East Boldon, near Sunderland, part of the Tyne Garrison but also training men for the draft. Whilst he was there his brother Frederick Spencer Dodds died during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1916 at Sunderland, aged 26 years.
Private Dodds was transferred to the Labour Corps, November 11th 1916 and March 11th 1917, departed to France via Folkestone where he was transferred, April 5th 1917 as Pioneer 50661 to the 16th Infantry Labour Corps, Lincolnshire Regiment and by April 20th 1917 as Pioneer 48998 to the 1st Lincolnshire Regiment Labour Corps. May 14th 1917 the 40th Labour Company, Labour Corps, was formed from the 1st Infantry Labour Company, Lincolnshire Regiment, Pioneer Dodds was transferred to the 40th Labour Corps with a change of service number as 23560. As the name indicates the men were engaged on labouring work and consisted of men who were experienced miner, road men and some skilled trades, smiths, carpenters, joiners bricklayers, masons, engine drivers and fitters, however, they were also trained to fight as infantry when necessary.
Whilst at the front he was taken to the Field Ambulance twice for minor ailments, the last being September 9th returning to duty September 12th 1917. Pioneer 23560 Arthur Dodds 40th Labour Company, Labour Corps, was killed in action in Belgium, October 1st 1917 and interred at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium, grave I. G. 10. The CWGC have inscribed his military headstone with his original details of Private 21567 Northumberland Fusiliers. He was 25 years of age and single.
Notification of his death was sent to his brother James at 17, Green Terrace, Sunderland, November 1st 1917 and his sister replied to the Pay Office Labour Corps, November 2nd 1917 as follows, “Sirs, Could you oblige me by giving me any information regarding Pte. Arthur Dodds 23560 40 Labour Coy 16 Section 4th Platoon B, he having no parents, word was sent to his lodgings, 17 Green Terrace, Sunderland that he was killed in action on Oct. 4th but it came through the pay master not official news. As I am his oldest sister I would like to have some news about his death. Please oblige and reply to Mrs C. Dennis, 33, Booth Street, Sunderland.”
His brother James nominated as next of kin had died by 1918, whether this was war related is unknown, documents were then addressed to his brother Michael at 1, Priestly Crescent, Sunderland.
Michael received all monies due to his brother from the Army, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal and his personal possessions sent to him March 1st 1918 consisting of; 1 pr French gloves, 1 cotton tag, 1 pipe, 1 razor, photos, cards, letter..illegible..2 wallets, 2 cap badges, 1 pr scissors, 1 handkerchief, 1 motor drivers licence. Michael replied to the Labour Corps Records Office, “Dear Sirs, My Brother had a watch and chain and ring when he left for France, M. J. Dodds.” Hopefully they were forthcoming.
Although William, James and Michael Dodds were also eligible for war service no records have been found.
It should be noted that the CWGC entry for Private Dodds states in error he was transferred to the 40th Battalion Labour Corps. The Labour Battalions were for home service only.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Arthur Dodds is remembered at Sunderland in S140.048 part 5
