Name
Alfred John Charles Dodson
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/08/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
48998
RIFLE BRIGADE
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIEILLE-CHAPELLE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, LACOUTURE
9.C.7
France
Headstone Inscription
PEACE PERFECT PEACE
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Ashwell memorials, We are not aware of any Caldecote memorial
Pre War
Alfred was born in 1899 in Knapwell, Cambs and his parents were John and Eliza Ann Dodson(née)
In 1901 the family were living at corner of St Neots Road, Knapwell. Present were both parents: John (27) and Eliza (26), with John and working as a horsekeeper on farm. Their children were: Lily M Reuben (9 and stepdaughter), Ferdinand Brenyer Rueben (4) and Alfred J C (1)
By 1911 the family were living at Newnham, Baldock, Herts. Present were both parents, John still working as a horsekeeper on farm. The census recorded they had been married for 15 years with 8 children all living. Of the children listed above Lily was absent. Ferdinand was now 14 and a labourer on a farm and Alfred was still at school. They had new siblings: Louisa (10), Arthur (7), Ivy (4) and twins Fredrick and Harry at 6 months old.
Officially Albert was recorded as born in Knapwell, Cambs., and living in Baldock, Herts (possibly Caldicote) and enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
He did not serve overseas until at least 1916.
An article appeared in the Hertfordshire Express on 21st of September 1918 reporting that his parents had been officially informed that Alfred had been killed in action on 10th of August. The article describes how the Rev. A. J. Billings informed them that he "with his comrades, was following up the retreating enemy, and they were entrapped by a party of Germans in hiding, and were fired on at short range by machine guns."
His body was ordinally found at map sheet ref. 36a Q16 c. 1. 3, before reburial
Additional Information
Son of John and Eliza Ann Dodson, of Cold Harbour, nr. Ashwell, Herts. Alfred's brother Ferdinand died from wounds received in action on 28th September 1915.
After his death £4 5s 2d was authorised to go to his mother, Eliza, on 18 January 1919. Later, a war gratuity of £4 10s was authorised to be paid to him on 6 December 1919.
The pension cards name both Alfred and his brother Ferdinand and record Eliza their mother as his next of dependant, living at Coldharbour, Ashwell. She was awarded a pension of 6s 6d a week from 13 May 1919.
His mother ordered his headstone inscription, while living at Caldecote, Baldock, Herts. in reads: "PEACE PERFECT PEACE".
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson
