Pte 26088 John Dodson

• Age: 22
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 26th August 1916
• Commemorated at: Lonsdale Cem, Authuille
  Panel Ref: III.M.3

John (Jack) Dodson was born on the 09^th April, 1894 in Liverpool and was baptised on the 13^th May, 1894 at St Chrysostom's C. of E. Church, Everton. He was confirmed in 1914 at St Mary’s C. of E. Church, West Derby. He was the son of James Dodson and his wife Jane (nee Garnett). His parents married in 1884 in Toxteth.
 
Jack was educated at Sefton Park County Primary School, Liverpool.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 14, Castle Street, Tyldesley, Leigh. His father, James, is aged 39, born 1862 and is a butcher, whilst his mother wife Jane is also aged 39, born 1862 and has no occupation listed. At the time of the Census, they have five children, George aged 12, Janet aged 11,  Elizabeth aged 9, John aged 6 and Isaac Garnett aged 5.

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved and are living at 60 Crosby Green, West Derby, Liverpool.  His father, James, is now shown as being aged 48, born 1863 in Liverpool and is a meat shop superintendent., whilst his mother Jane is also shown as aged 48, born 1863 in Liverpool and is a housekeeper. They have been married for 27 years and have had 12 children of which four had died. Those listed in the household are; George aged 22, born 1889 is a meat clerk, Janet Garnett aged 21, born 1890, Elizabeth Garnett aged 19 born 1892 have no occupation listed, John aged 16 is a meat shop assistant, Isaac Garnett aged 15, born 1896, William aged 7, born 1904 and Margaret Garnett aged 5, born 1906 are all at school, James born 1911 and Stanley Meyer a visitor aged 19, born 1892 a meat clerk born in Bromborough.

Jack enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 26088 when he was killed in action on the 26th August 1916, aged 22, during the Somme offensive.

His death was recorded in a notice in the Liverpool Echo on 14th September 1916:

"Killed In Action": DODSON - August 26, killed in action, John (K.L.R.), the dearly-beloved son of James and Jane Dobson, 60, Crosby-green, West Derby.

Also in the Liverpool Daily Post 16th September 1916:

Private Jack Dodson, the son of Mr and Mrs James Dodson, of 60 Crosby Green, West Derby. Private Dodson was recently wounded and only just returned to the fighting line.

Jack was originally laiod to rest at Aveluy but after the war when graves were concentrated he was reburied and rests at Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“IN LOVING MEMORY”

On 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the 32nd Division, which included the 1st Dorsets and the 11th (Lonsdale) Battalion of the Border Regt attacked the German line at this point and stormed the Leipzig Salient, but were compelled to retire later in the day. In the spring of 1917, after the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, V Corps cleared these battlefields and made a number of new cemeteries, including Lonsdale No.1 and No.2.

Lonsdale Cemetery No.1 (the present Lonsdale Cemetery) contained originally 96 graves (now in Plot I), the great majority of which were those of officers and men of the 1st Dorsets and the 11th Borders. It was enlarged after the Armistice when graves, almost all of 1916, were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and from other small burial grounds.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

Soldiers Effects to his father James and pension to his mother Jane, Thomas S. T. Pearson and Sarah Jane Pearson.

Liverpool Electoral rolls for 60 Crosby Green cease after 1915, and the family have moved back to Wigan by 1921.

His father died in the June quarter of 1935, aged 72.

His brother Isaac was also a Liverpool Pal. He served in the 18th Battalion as Private 17118 before transferring to the 13th Battalion K.L.R. He survived the war.

We currently have no further information on John (Jack) Dodson, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.