Dodd, James Everett

James Dodd was born on January 22, 1878 in Hants County, Nova Scotia. Not much is known about his early life or other family members. By 1911, James and his wife, Gertrude, had made their home in Lethbridge, Alberta, where he was employed as a carpenter. The couple had five children, Thelma, Isabella, George, Ethel and Bessie. On November 8, 1915, James Dodd enlisted with the Canadian Engineers. Sapper Dodd arrived in England on March 25, 1916, and remained in England until embarking for France on June 11, 1916. Sapper Dodd would serve with the Canadian Engineers for the next 29 months throughout France and Belgium. On November 3, 1918, just one week before the Armistice, Sapper Dodd was returned to England, suffering from bronchitis and hemoptysis. Lung ailments were often a consequence of the many months spent in cold, damp trenches as well as mustard gas exposure. Sapper Dodd struggled with his illness for many months, being hospitalized both in England and Canada. On January 23, 1920, he was officially discharged from military service. On August 9, 1922, James Dodd passed away at age 44. He was laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Lethbridge. James Dodd was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his wartime service