Albert's Story.
Birkenhead News 09 November 1918A PROMISING CAREER ENDED.
After winning every scholarship and passing with honours all the examinations for which he entered, a promising and successful career has now been cut short by the death in action of Lieut. Albert Dodd, R.A.F., Balloon Section, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dodd, 304, New Chester Road, Port Sunlight. Lieut. Dodd, who was 20 years of age, joined the O.T.C. (Artists Rifles) in 1917, and for his keenness and ability was given his commission and attached to the R.A.F. Kite Balloon Section. He has done excellent work in France and was home on leave only a few weeks ago. How he met his death has been conveyed to the family in a letter received from and officer chum of his, who states that Lieut. Dodd along with another officer was sleeping in an old house, and a shell struck the building and killed both officers and wounded four men who were asleep in another part of the house at the same time. He goes on to say that he did everything possible for Lieut. Dodd, who only lived for about 15 minutes. Other letters have been received from the commanding officer of the section, who writes in glowing words of the abilities of their late son, who had a brilliant future before him, and whose loss is keenly felt by all. He was employed at Port Sunlight in the chemical laboratories. Educated at the village school, he won scholarships which entitled him to finish his education at the Birkenhead Institute, where he won certificates for chemistry. He also gained the London University certificate for music. He was an enthusiastic member of St. Andrew’s Church, Lower Bebington, and also a member of the Oddfellows Society, in which his father has been for a great many years. The deceased officer’s eldest brother is also serving his country as a member of the R.A.M.C., in which he enlisted from Port Sunlight three days after the war was declared, and has been in France ever since.