Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Robert (also known as Bert) was born at Barnard Castle in 1891 the son of Robert and Margaret Annie (nee Teasdale). The couple had married in 1887. Bert had a sister, Frances.
The 1901 census shows the family living at Low Startforth. At this time Robert senior was working as a woodman in Deepdale Wood.
Unfortunately Bert’s mother Margaret Annie died in 1905 so by 1911 life had changed. His sister Florence was now married to Charles Morphet and they had a little girl, Margaret Annie, together. Father Robert was now a stone quarryman (freestone) whilst Bert was working as a gardener.
At some point his father remarried to Alice and a further 2 daughters resulted.
Bert was friendly with Sarah Jane Brownless later Bird of Durham City with whom he had an illegitimate child. His paperwork gives no more details other than a bastardy order has been lodged in January 1916.
Bert attested for service on November 1st 1915 at Barnard Castle. His records show him to be 5’7” tall. His weight was 127lbs. It was noted he needed dental treatment. His religion was Church of England.
On 5th May 1916 Bert was posted to the British Expeditionary Force in France.
Unfortunately, he only survived for about 11 weeks before he died at Ontario General Hospital (also known as 16th Canadian Hospital), Orpington, Kent. His death was recorded as occurring at 8.30am from disease and shell shock.
Robert/Bert Dodds is remembered in Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 192
