The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject: JOHN DODDS

I found this in the local paper. I am not sure if this is a non-com but I am not 'seeing' any matches. Does not appear in Perth Golden Book;

THE PEOPLE'S JOURNAL: 23.10.1915
WELL-KNOWN SINGER KILLED

News has arrived in Perth of the death in France of Corporal John Dodds, Machine Gun Section of the Royal Scots. Corporal Dodds was wounded in the arm, but despite this he volunteered to go out to the help of a fallen comrade. While attempting this he was killed. He was a compositer to trade. While resident in Perth he took a keen interest in music, and was a member of the Amateur Opera Company and the St. Leonard's U. F. Choir. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Border Counties' Association, and this body have sent a letter of sympathy to his widowed mother, who reisdes in Hawick.

DerekR · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject:

Ah ha!
Finally I have one that I can help you with. Laughing

John Dodds was not killed - he was wrongly listed. From memory he was wounded and captured at Loos but his family were told that he had been killed.
His daughter still lives in Hawick.
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Mark

I had imagined Derek was watching over the men with Borders links. This revelation, and your detail on Peter L Gardiner, confirms that the Golden Book cannot be considered an accurate record. It looks like the same is true for Andrew S Gardiner. Do you know when it was published?

Incidentally, I wonder if Peter and Andrew could be brothers. There is a Peter of correct age with an older brother Andrew at 31 Stormont St. in 1901
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 3:14 pm Post subject:

Derek/Jim,

Thanks. Well, well, well, - never ceases to amze me. I had noticed the Gardiners in the census and it is my belief they are brothers.
I don't have too much firm detail about the Golden Book but if memory serves the local newspaper was asking for names to be submitted so that a Roll of Honour (dead) could be compiled. Already this is shown to have errors.
I have also wondered, but never looked that far, if a ROH Supplement was published for Perth etc when St John's Kirk got rededicated (1925, I think)

DerekR · Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 1:51 pm Post subject:

Corporal John Dodds of the 12th Battalion Royal Scots, was reported wounded after the 25th September, 1915.
A few days later, Mrs Dodds received a telegram to say that John was officially reported killed in action at Loos. To confirm her worst fears, she also heard of John’s death from a soldier in the front-line.

After several weeks, Mrs Dodds received a letter from John saying that he had been captured by the Germans. John had been wounded in the arm and as he attempted to rescue a wounded friend lying out in No-Man’s-Land, they were both captured.
He had enlisted in September, 1914, and was sent to France in May, 1915
_________________

Time but th' impression stronger makes, As streams their channels deeper wear.