Sgt. Alfred James Dodd

Alfred James Dodd was born at Dunedin the Otago area of New Zealand's South Island on 20 December 1889 (reg. 1890/4074). His parents were Alfred Ernest Dodd and Catherine Emma Dodd (nee Crawford), who had married at Dunedin on 12 September 1889. The family later moved to Johnston Street in Karori, Wellington. His father Alfred died at Adelaide in Australia on 21 May 1903. During World War I Alfred joined the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion (Service No. WWI 6/218). He was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for his actions in June 1916; Armentieres 27th June 1916. Has done particularly good work. He swam the river and carried out his duty of fastening the wire on the far side naked, in heavy rain and under indirect fire (machine gun) which on one occasion compelled him to re-enter the river (London Gazette, 14 November 1916, p. 11146, Rec No 86). 26-year-old Alfred was killed in action at the Somme on 15 September 1916. He was buried in the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, but is also remembered on his mother's plot at Karori Cemetery in Wellington. Bio by Debbie McCauley (4 November 2024).

Sources

1. Cenotaph: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/...
2. Free Lance (20 October 1916, p. 20).