Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Captain A. Dodgson, Royal Navy

Jubilee 1897, silver (Commander Arthur Dodgson, H.M.S. Sharpshooter.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Sub Lt. A. Dodgson. R.N. H.M.S. “Orontes.”); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, mounted for wear, toned, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (3) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from an Africa Collection.

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Dix Noonan Webb, December 2014.

Arthur Dodgson was born in Walthamstow, Essex in July 1859. He joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in July 1872, and advanced to sub lieutenant in October 1878. Dodgson served with H.M.S. Orontes, October 1881 - January 1883, and advanced to captain in December 1901. He was in command of the depot ship Calliope, and the Kingstown Flotilla during naval manoeuvres in August 1903, when he met with a tragic end. Captain Dodgson had been involved in a serious bicycle accident five years prior, which had left him hospitalised and drifting in and out of consciousness for several months. Upon his return to service it would appear that he could no longer cope with the pressures, and tried to resign his commission. Having been persuaded that he would be a loss to the service, he carried on until 7 August 1903. On the latter date he retired to his cabin, wrote two letters including one to his wife, and then cut his own throat with a razor. Captain Dodgson was buried with full military honours at Haslar Cemetery, 14 August 1903.

Sold with copied research, including copies of various local press articles in which the recipient’s death was featured.