Edward Swayne DODDS

DODDS, Edward Swayne

Service Number: 49
Enlisted: 22 April 1902, Wilston, Brisbane, Qld.
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse
Born: Tweed River, New South Wales, Australia, 1882
Home Town: Cudgen, Tweed, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Fireman
Memorials:
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Boer War Service

1 Oct 1899: Involvement Private, 49, 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse
22 Apr 1902: Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Trooper, 49, 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, Wilston, Brisbane, Qld.
19 May 1902: Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 49, 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 530 notes 7th BACH embarked at Pinkenba 19 May 1902 aboard Custodian arriving Durban 22 Jun 1902 after peace had been declared.
9 Aug 1902: Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 49, 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 530 notes 7th BACH embarked at Durban 28 Jun 1902 aboard Manchester Merchant returning to Australia arriving Brisbane 2 Aug 1902, disbanded 9 Aug 1902.

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Son of Richard W and Sarah L DODDS, Cudgen, Tweed River, NSW

Biography contributed by Claude McKelvey

Edward Swayne Dodds was born in 1882 at Tweed River, New South Wales, a son to Richard Wallar Dodds and Sarah Dodds (nee Lally). His middle name was transcribed incorrectly as Swain when he first enlisted for the Boer War.

He served twice in the South African (Boer) War and again enlisted, but did not embark, for WW1. First service was as a Private S.N. 290 in the 4th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Boer War. Second service was as a Private S.N. 49 in the 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, Boer War. On his enlistment Attestation paper for his second service he noted his previous service in the 4QIB and gave his N.O.K. at Cudgen, NSW- as per the first enlistment and that his trade was fireman.

He again enlisted on 24 Sep 1914 at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia and was given the rank of Private S.N. 994. However, he went AWOL and was discharged for misconduct before joining a unit or embarking. On his Attestation paper he noted he was born at Tweed River, NSW, on 23 May 1882, was a Fireman, and was still single. 

(sources- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 485 & 532; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier (2nd service) and WW1 service record).

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