International Rugby Player's Obituary
Amongst the casualties were the Dods family, who were attending the party held by Capt. Back. An obituary for Mr Dods appeared in the Inverness Courier, of 7th January 1916, just a week after the disaster. It is interesting to note that the obituary does not mention Mrs Dods or their children, who were also killed.
Inverness Courier
7th January 1916
The Late Mr J.H.Dods
The death is announced, as a result of an accident, of Mr John Henry Dods, Dailgheil, Evanton, Ross-shire, Factor for Novar. Mr Dods was for a number of years Factor on the Garscube Estates in the west of Scotland, but about three years ago he relinquished this position on his appointment to the management of the Novar and Raith Estates, by Sir R.C. Munro-Ferguson. On the occasion of his departure from the district, he was entertained to a complimentary dinner, which was held in the public hall, Bearsden under the chairmanship of Sir Archibald Campbell of Succoth Bart. A number of presentations were made to Mr Dods by the tenants and employees of the Garscube Estates and by the Kilpatrick Farmers’ Cooperative Society.
Mr Dods, who was the son of the Rev. Principal Marcus Dods of Edinburgh, was 40 years of age. His brother Mr Marcus Dods, Advocate, is at present acting as Sheriff Substitute at Glasgow.
In sporting circles, Mr Dods was regarded as a notable athlete. Educated at Edinburgh Academy, he played forward in the 1891-2, 1892-3, and 1893-4 football fifteens and at the annual sports in his final year he won the high jump (5ft 2ins) and hurdles and finished second in the 100 yards and quarter mile. After leaving, he played so brilliantly for Edinburgh Academicals that his selection for international honours against Wales came as no surprise and he retained his place unchallenged against Ireland and England. In the following year, when a member of London Scottish, he was awarded three other caps and as a representative of Durham City in 1897 he closed his football career by figuring against Ireland and England.
