Private George Dodds
George Dodds was born on 14 July 1889 at Carnbane, Newry, County Armagh, the first of two children of John Dodds, a lock-keeper and plate-layer on the Great Northern railway, and his wife Mary (nee McKnight). By 1911 he was living with his mother and sister at Lisdrumgullion, Newry, and working as a quarry labourer.
Dodds enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 25 August and 17 October 1913 (No.865 – later Corps of Hussars 71137). He embarked for France with A Squadron on 17 August 1914, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
Dodds remained with A Squadron throughout the war. On 20 February 1919 he was transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.
I am grateful to David Dodds of Newry for his great generosity in agreeing that I reproduce these wonderfully evocative photographs. Most, though not all, are of George Dodds and his fellow North Irish Horsemen during the war.
Click on a thumbnail image below for a larger view and more information.
