James Horsefield Dodge entered this world on May 9, 1872. He was the Son of Rev. Samuel Dodge (Wesleyan Minister) and Hannah Horsefield, who at the time of his birth were resident in Bakewell Derbyshire with the parents originally from Dewsbury in Yorkshire. He was to be christened a few months later on 18th July 1872 by his father, His father Samuel was to die in April 1881 at the age of 40 after which, Hannah was to take the 4 children including James back to Dewsbury in Yorkshire from which she hailed.
We know little of James’ life upon his return to Yorkshire, but what is known is that on the 1881 census, his mother is described as the “Head of House and a Widow. Apart from the 4 children, there was 1 servant and 1 boarder, that being Rev. Nicholas William Tomlinson who was the Wesleyan Minister in Dewsbury.
By the time of the 1891 census, James had left home, his mother had married the Rev. Nicholas Tomlinson (9 years her junior), and James had become indentured into the drapery business, where he is shown as living in the house of Mary Wrigley, his relationship to her is shown as servant and occupation as Drapers apprentice.
But the life of a draper was not for James, he went out seek adventure and a new life in South Africa only 2 years later. He was to migrate to South Africa onboard the SS Scot under the command of Captain Travers on 4th March 1893, as an aside, the SS Scot was transferred to the Union Castle line a few years later and was to be used as a troop transport vessel during the Anglo Boer War.
James first 3 years in South Africa remain a mystery in the Cape, In 1896 He joined Matabeleland Mounted Police however his service did not earn him the British South Africa company Medal, however James had volunteered to join a force under the control of Dr Leander Starr Jameson For what was to be known as "The Jameson Raid".
James at the age of 22 having participated in the Jameson Raid is posted as “Missing – Escaped” (taken form the ABW.com website).
It was also reported in The London Echo on Tuesday 14th January 1896 the following.
“Jamesons Rank and File”
“Names of the Escaped – The British South Africa Company have received a cablegram from Cape town dated the 13th January, giving, From the Johannesburg Times The full official list of the rank and file of Dr Jameson’s Force who have been taken Prisoners.
The British South Africa Company further state: - the following, Frank Thatcher, James H. Dodge and H. Wyley, who escaped and reported themselves at Cape town, state the following also escaped:- Sergeant Ruck, Corporal Keth, Troopers Valle, Williams, Larson, Kelsall and Davidson”. There were another 22 unaccounted for according to the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle of January 18, 1896, which provides The official list of combatants, casualties, escapees and the missing.
It was only a year later that James answered the call to arms for the 2nd Anglo Boer War.
Attested into Rimington’s Corps of Guides.
A medal to 1 of 3 confirmed escapers/evaders from the raid & I believe the only "Raider" to serve in the 2nd ABW and earn the Maximum number of clasps.