Photo : Pat and Ken Linges
Illustrated Chronicle 15/08/1916
Pat and Ken Linges
Alexander Archibald Dodds was born in 1890 in Sunderland. He was the youngest child and only son of John Dodds and his wife Jane Dodds, (nee McLaurin). His 2 elder sisters were Jane born 1886, and Helena born 1887.
John his father was a riveter by trade. John died and his wife re-married Frederick Collingwood, who was the landlord of the Brandling Villa Hotel at Gosforth.
Frederick had a child from his previous marriage a Margaret Collingwood, born 1889.
Prior to the war Archie was a very good billiards player at the South Gosforth Billiards Club, in the Newcastle Journal 12/03/1914, there is a report under the heading South Gosforth Club Champion Ship. "An interesting game of 750 points between Mr A. Collingwood and Mr J. Carr, for the Championship of the South Gosforth Club, was witnessed at the Brandling Villa Hotel, South Gosforth, by a large Audience. After a keen Struggle, in which Mr Collingwood made breaks of 43, 41, 21,28, 25, and Mr Carr 25, 30, 54, 35, 30. 72, the former ran out winner by 24 points. Score:- Mr Collingwood. 750, Mr Carr . 726.
Alexander (Archie) enlisted at Durham and was sent to France on the 22nd November 1915.
On the Ist July 1916, Alexander's platoon the 2nd was part of 'A' Company, plus 'C' Company which were detailed to cross no mans land, and assault the German Trenches. The survivors only managed to reach No Mans Land where they were pinned down by machine-gun fire from Thiepval Fort.
Alexander Dodds was killed in this follow up attack about 7.55am.
Newcastle Journal 27/07/1916.
'Mr Fred Collingwood, of the Brandling Villa Hotel, South Gosforth, has been officially informed that his son. Corporal Archie Collingwood N.F. is missing.'
Newcastle Journal 08/09/1916
'Collingwood - Killed in action, on July 1st, Corporal Archie Collingwood, only son of Mr and Mrs Collingwood, of the Brandling Villa Hotel, South Gosforth. Mr and Mrs Collingwood wish to thank all friends for their letters of sympathy'.
There was a framed picture presented showing a photo of Corporal Alexander Archibald Dodds.
Alexander Archibald Dodds is remembered in Newcastle on NUT068 page 96, 151 and 175, at Gosforth on G9.19 and G9.21, at Sunderland in S148.08 page 50, part 3.
