Dodds, Robert William (114)
Place of Birth: Port Melbourne, VIC
Age: 21 years 2 Months
Enlistment Details: Wednesday, 17 February 1915 – Melbourne, VIC
Service Number: 114 view online service record
Address:
Francis Street
Bairnsdale, VIC
Next of Kin:
Robert Dodds (father)
Francis Street
Bairnsdale, VIC
Embarkation Details:
Date: Monday, 10 May 1915
Ship: HMAT Euripides A14
Port: Melbourne, VIC
Unit: 23rd Infantry Battalion
Fate:
DOW: Saturday, 5 August 1916
Place: France
Private, 23 Infantry, died of wounds, 5 August, 1916, France, aged 23.
Parents: Robert and Esther DODDS, Brother: 2344, James DODDS, killed in action 18 August 1916. Born Port Melbourne, educated SS. Enlisted as a 21 year old grocer with father in Bairnsdale as next of kin, but his parents were at 87 Gladstone Street, South Melbourne when the circular was returned, although Bairnsdale was nominated as his late son’s place of association. Dodds was recommended for a Military Medal, but not awarded. Half-brother, 1247, John William EAVES, MM, and recommended DCM.
Additional research by Brian Membrey
2 Comments
Ross Fitzpatrick
Robert Dodds was Esther’s second husband. First husband, Thomas John Eaves died 1892 and Esther remarried 1893. After Robert William was born in Port Melbourne, the family moved to Talbotville in East Gippsland – gold. James, Thomas, Marion (died young) and Gilbert born Talbotville. Robert and Esther primarily lived in Bairnsdale (although moved about region a bit) prior to moving to South Melbourne. John William Eaves was born 1888 in Ballarat to first husband, and when Esther remarried, he remained with relatives in Talbot area with sister and brother. John William and Robert were half-brothers, not step-brothers. Robert William’s brother’s James (KIA) and Thomas went to WW1 (Thomas was underage and enlisted in Melbourne as Thomas Eaves). Thomas came home. Youngest brother Gilbert went to WW2 and killed in Action in first battle.
David Thompson
Ross, thank you for filling in the story of Robert and Esther Dodds and for correcting the record that John William and Robert were half-brothers. I have amended the original text.