Medal Card
Tyneside Scottish
Derek Johnstone has provided the following:
Robert Dodds was born at Bedlington, Northumberland in 1896. His parents, both from Northumberland, were James Dodds born in Bedlington and Margaret Craig Dodds (nee Ferguson) born at Ancroft.
In 1901, Robert, aged five years, lived at 77, South Row, West Sleekburn, where his father is shown to be a widower and employed as an onsetter banksman in the coal mines. In the house at this time were siblings William 19, James 16, Mark 14, Margaret 11 and Philip aged 8.
The 1911 Census records Robert as 15 years old and living in his brother William's house at 77, South Row, West Sleekburn. This census indicates Robert was born at Cambois, Northumberland but this is probably due to the proximity of West Sleekburn to Cambois. Robert was employed in the coal mines as a pony driver underground. There were eight people living in 2 rooms at this address in 1911.
Robert was married during the period June - August in 1914 to Ada Heatley; the marriage was registered at Morpeth in Northumberland.
Military records confirm Robert was born at Bedlington, enlisted in the same town and was killed in action. His effects went to his widow shown as Ada Dodds in May 12th 1917 and Ada Slatter in 1919. His widow had married Sidney G Slatter in 1919. Robert’s Pension Index Card mentions Ada Dodds, his widow and a child, Albert Stephen Dodds, whose birth took place in 1914. CWGC documents record Robert as the husband of Ada Slatter (formerly Dodds) of 33, Marshes Terrace, West Sleekburn Choppington Northumberland.
Robert Dodds is remembered in West Sleekburn on W34.01 and in Choppington on C36.01 and C36.02
