Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Amongst the first of our Australian heroes to fall in actual warfare is Private Frederick Allen Doodson, fourth son of Mr. Edward Alexis Doodson and Mrs. Doodson, of 'Albert Cottage,' Francis-street, Lidcombe, at the age of 19 years and 9 months. The first intimation received by the parents of the sad news was a telegram from Victoria Barracks, which was conveyed by the Rev. F. C. Williams,...The gallant young fellow left New South Wales on 19th October last with the first expeditionary force straight to Egypt, where the soldiers were in constant training until their departure for the Dardanelles. He took advantage of every mail to write home, telling of his experiences in Egypt." Fred generally ended, asking "to be remembered to all his friends; and placed several crosses at the end of the letter with the words 'For the Kiddies.'" - no doubt his younger sister Isabel and brother Edward (/explore/people/798889). "His elder brother, Walter Victor (/explore/people/248642), who is 22 years of age, is also at the front, with the third battalion. ...The deceased and his brother were both good sons. They neither smoked nor indulged in strong drink, and though fond of the art of boxing were well behaved lads. Fred worked at Goodlet and Smith's sawmills, Pyrmont, for a time, but at the time he enlisted was working on the wharves in Sydney." extracts from The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate 08 May 1915 (nla.gov.au) 

"...That the family is imbued with the Empire spirit may be gathered from the fact that as well as he and Walter joining the Expeditionary Forces, the eldest boy, Charles Doodson (/explore/people/107933), was a member of the New Guinea Expeditionary Force, and is at present suffering from the effects of malarial fever." from the Evening News 04 May 1915 p4 (nla.gov.au)

"Private Fred. Doodson was a member of H. Company of the First Battalion. He was an enthusiastic soccer footballer, and played right full-back for the Pyrmont Second League team last season. He also took a keen interest in other sport, especially swimming and boxing. Doodson was successful in boxing championships held on board the steamer while en-route to Egypt. He was not quite 20 years of age, and resided in Pyrmont for many years until recently his parents moved to Francis-street, Lidcombe. From information received by his mother it is stated that Doodson was shot while preparing to disembark. He lingered for three days." from the Evening News 04 May 1915 p6 (nla.gov.au)

Being among the first Australian casualties of the Great War, much was written about Fred in both local and interstate newspapers. The fact that he epitomised the strong, athletic digger and was well known in many Sydney sporting circles, saw an outpouring of sympathy for his family. Letters of condolence were written by the New South Wales Football Association and rival soccer clubs. The Kogarah District players even wore black armbands "in honor of the late Private Doodson". Rolls of Honour for various sporting associations were initiated and 'Curly' Doodson was acknowledged as the first soccer player, first boxer and among the first swimmers to have died for their country.

Within two weeks of the news of Fred's death, the Municipality of Lidcombe approved 'the portion of Hanover-street, running easterly from John street, be renamed Doodson-street, and the other portion running southerly be named Frederick-street, as a compliment to the family and in honor of the late Private. F. A. Doodson', street names that endure to the present day. In December 1915, the Lidcombe Soldiers' Relief Committee presented silver medals “to the next of kin of the Lidcombe heroes”, of whom Fred's father was a recipient. 

Private F. A. Doodson and his brother W. V. Doodson are among those remembered on the Lidcombe War Memorial. In addition, a sandstone plaque inside Lidcombe's St Stephen's Anglican Church is dedicated to 'Pte Frederick Allen Doodson Killed in Action, in Gallipoli 25th April 1915; aged 19 years'.