Name
Ferdinand Berenger Reuben Dodson
9 November 1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/09/1915
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
19867
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY
1.E.52
France
Headstone Inscription
THY WILL BE DONE
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Ashwell memorials, We are not aware of any Caldecote memorial, Guilden Morden War Memorial, Cambs
Pre War
Ferdinand Berenger Reuben Dodson was born on 9 November 1896 in Knapwell, Cambridgeshire, the son of John and Eliza Ann Dodson (née Reuben) and was baptised on 16 December 1896 at Knapwell.
In 1901 the family were living at the corner of St Neots Road, Knapwell. Present were both parents: John (27) and Eliza (26), and his father was working as a horsekeeper on a farm. Their children were: Lily M Reuben (stepdaughter, 9), Ferdinand Brenyer Reuben (4) and Alfred J C (1)
By 1911 the family were living at Newnham, Baldock, Herts. Present were both parents, his father still working as a horsekeeper on farm. The census recorded they had been married for 15 years with 8 children all living. Ferdinand was then 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. Daughter Lily was working as a domestic servant at Hinxworth, Herts.
Wartime Service
Ferdinand enlisted in Bedford and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, serving in France with the 8th Battalion from 30 August 1915.
He died on 28 September 1915 at No.1 Casualty Clearing Station, Chocques, from wounds received in action during the Battle of Loos and is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
Ferdinand's birth was registered and baptised with the additional name of Berenger (not Berenyer) Reuben and surname Dodson.
His father received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £3 1s 1d.
Brother of Alfred John Charles Dodson who served with the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade and was killed in action in 1918.
Pension cards name both Alfred and his brother Ferdinand and record Eliza their mother as dependant, living at Coldharbour, Ashwell. She was awarded a pension of 6s 6d a week from 13 May 1919.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners, Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson
