Hello. I am researching my family history and have recently come across my great uncle Thomas (Tot) Dodds 4272044. He was a sergeant in the RNF batt 8 (3 Recce) and died 23/10/1944 in Holland. He is buried in Mierlo war Cemetery. I would be very grateful for any information regarding my great uncle and his service history, and any information about how he died - documents say killed in action only. thank you. Sharon
Hello Sharon, First, welcome to the forum. My father also served in 3 Recce Regt - Lt WL (Bill) Lewis in A Squadron and RHQ (Regimental Headquarters). The War Diary for 23 October 1944, "Location: 720336 [1.5kms SE of HEIKANT]. Patrolling and OP work continues. 1400. B Sqn relieved A Sqn, who are now in Regt reserve at 741353. Infm concerning enemy opposite us obtained from Dutch resistance representative who came in through our fwd posns last night. General Note: Night patrolling often includes listening. Our standing patrols occasionally bump enemy patrols at night and sharp exchanges of fire result". Your Great Uncle's death is mentioned in the Regiment's Routine Orders (see below) and show that he was in C Sqn. The complete war diaries can be seen here. From "The Diary of the Reverend George Fox MC" [3 Recce Regt's Padre], "23/10/44…. For the past four days I have had to conduct a funeral, one man killed by interfering with a probable booby-trapped bazooka. To-day I had to help in extricating a Sgt, whose car had been hit by a bazooka, he was in a terrible mess, and it was so difficult to get him clear, blood was splashed everywhere inside, the two survivors got the vehicle back to the harbour. Sgt Dodds was a cheerful soul, and always had a kind to say to all. Two of us managed to get him out and wrapped him in a blanket. These last few days life has been very hectic in contacting all my units". Please feel free to ask any questions. There are plenty of people here who will be willing to help. Regards, Richard
Hi Richard. Thank you so much for replying so promptly to my post. Wow. I had heard something about a bazooka being involved in his death, but there were conflicting stories in the family regarding how it happened. Is there any information about where and when he enlisted, and who were the two other men who were injured at the time my uncle was killed. Yet again, I would be very grateful for any information. Thank you. Sharon
Hi Sharon welcome to the forum Serjeant THOMAS DODDS 4272044 Who died on 23 October 1944 KIA Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Dodds, of Ryton, Co. Durham; husband of Ada Dodds, of Ryton. MIERLO WAR CEMETERY VIII. C. 10. Cheers Paul
Hello Sharon and welcome to the forum. Great to have another Recce on here. You can apply for his service records here https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records Lesley
Thank you to those who have replied to my post. I would still like to know more about my g uncle, so if anyone has any stories to tell about him, I'd love to hear them. many thanks. Sharon
Hello. My family are very grateful for the information provided so far regarding my g uncle sgt Thomas dodds 4272044. Would anyone know how I could find out the names of the two surviving men, who were with my g uncle when he was killed? I am finding that the more I find out, the more I want to know. thank you Sharon
Hi everyone. It's been a while, but I am still on my family history quest. It's fascinating. I would like some more information on my great uncle, please. I was hoping someone might know the names of the men who were with my uncle when was killed, and bravely ensured that his body was returned to his regiment. Also, I was wondering what kind of car he would have been driving in? What did it look like? I assume it was some kind of armoured car - but that is the extent of my knowledge. What conflict would he have been involved in, and WHY would he have picked up a stray weapon? Was it a new device that he was exploring? Was booby-trapping weapons etc a common practice? Would he have been aware that this was a possibility - or did his interest in finding the weapon cause him to over-look this? If anyone can help me I would be very grateful. Thank you, Sharon
Hello Sharon, The war diaries do not mention the incident where Sgt Dodds died, so trying to find the names of the others in the armoured car will be difficult. The Regiment was equipped with the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car and the Daimler Armoured Car. Here are two pictures of these armoured cars of 3 Recce Regt in Holland. Humber Daimler Reading the excerpt of the Padre’s diary I don’t think the man killed by the booby-trapped bazooka was Sgt Dodds. Regards, Richard
Hi Richard. Thanks for the pictures. The vehicle isn't what I imagined. I naively expected it to look more like a normal car - whereas it looks like a small tank. I did wonder that initially too, when reading the padres' diary, but the story does fit with what was said within the family. They'd always known a bazooka was involved in his death, but as to the actual details of what happened, well, we just didn't know. Would setting booby-traps have been a common practice during the war, and should he have been cautious of this? thank you Sharon
Hi Sharon found these photos on this web site, [SIZE=10pt]http://www.rytonwarmemorials.org.uk/war_memorials/533/thomas-%28tot%29-dodds_photos.php[/SIZE] Cheers Paul
Hi Paul Oh Wow! These are great. Thank you so much for posting them. He was a handsome chap! First time I have seen any photographs of him. Bless you, Sharon
Hello Sharon, I’ve found this in “The History of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers” relating to 3 Recce Regt’s advance into Germany, “…it was always necessary to be on the alert for ‘booby traps’ and mines, left behind by German troops in houses, in gateways and in other places”. They were a real danger on all fronts. Have a look at this US Army Training Film, “Private Snafu – Booby Traps”. Regards, Richard.
