Down the rabbit hole

 I started to disappear down the rabbit hole, known as the Internet, after reading Andrew Simpson's blog "Of Eltham, Manchester and an artist from Wales." His interest had been sparked by a painting of Well Hall Road, Eltham (where Andrew was brought up) by an artist called Francis Dodd. 

Dodd was born in Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey on 29 November 1874, the son of a Wesleyan Minister. Francis trained at the Glasgow School of Art where he was a friend of Muirhead Bone who would later marry Gertrude Helena Dodd (sister of Francis). 

In the 1891 census, Francis was living with his parents in Glasgow, described as a student. Dodd travelled extensively in France, Italy and Spain before returning to England in 1895. One wonders how he was able to afford foreign travel, given that his father cannot have been a wealthy man. 

On his return to England, Francis settled in Manchester and by 1901 he was living as a boarder in the household of Susan Isabel Dacre, another artist, alongwith Susan's nieces Sarah & Dorothy, daughters of Susan's brother William "Willie" Dacre, a veterinary surgeon in Manchester. By 1904 Francis had moved to London and was living at 51 Blackheath Park, a prestigious address. He would remain at that address for the rest of his life. 

In 1911 census Francis Dodd was still single, aged 36 and his occupation was given as 'Draughtsman/engraver). At the same address was Susan Isabel Dacre aged 67, painter, described as a visitor. Francis was wealthy enough to employ a housekeeper.

 In the same year, 1911, Francis Dodd married Mary Isabella Ingle in Lewisham, South London. In the 1939 register Francis was married to Mary and they were both living at 51 Blackheath Park. Another person is shown living at the same address: Mari W. Dodd born 30 Oct 1908,  a health visitor and S.R.N.

During World War 2, Francis Dodd was appointed an official war artist by Charles Masterman, the head of the War Propaganda Bureau. Francis served on the Western Front and produced portraits of senior military figures. He became a Trustee of the National Gallery in 1929, an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1927 and a full member in 1935.

It seems that Francis Dodd and Susan Isabel Dacre were life-long friends. He lodged with Miss Dacre in Manchester in the early 1900s. She was a visitor to his house in Blackheath Park ( 1911 census). When Susan Isabel Dacre died in 1933, probate was granted to Francis Dodd, A.R.A,

Mary Isabella Dodd nee Ingle died in December 1947 and Francis remarried in January 1949 to Ellen Margaret Tanner, His second marriage was very short-lived as Francis Dodd took his own life  on 7 March 1949 at 51 Blackheath Park, Blackheath, Greenwich. He was aged 74. At the inquest in Lewisham it was stated that Mr Dodd had been found in a gas-filled basement by his gardener, The verdict was suicide. Probate was granted to Ellen Margaret Dodd, his widow, Henry John Tanner, builder's agent (brother of Ellen, 2nd wife of Francis) and John Watford Brouncker Ingle, Solicitor.(nephew of Mary Ingle, Dodd's first wife).

Sources  Ancestry. Wikipedia