The Queen Mary Foundation is saddened to learn of the death of Mr Alfred E. Dodds, baggage master of both R.M.S. Queen Mary and R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth. Mr Dodds died after a brief illness on October 26, 1993, in Liverpool, age 75, and the Foundation's sympathies go to his widow and family.

Mr Dodds was born in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, on October 8, 1918. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War ll, and then entered the Merchant Navy through the Cornhill, Liverpool office of the Merchant Marine on March 17, 1949. He held the positions of Chief Baggage Master and Assistant Baggage Master until November 11, 1950. His last voyage was from November 29, 1950 until January 9, 1951 as Assistant Baggage Master on the Queen Elizabeth. He served under only two masters,: Commodore Harry Gratidge and Captain George. E. Cove.

Unfortunately, due to domestic problems, Mr Dodds was forced to leave the Merchant Marine; Shortly after doing so, he took a job as a bus conductor. His final employment was as a ticket agent for the ferry line that ran from Seacombe to Liverpool. In 1981, he was forced to take early retirement.

During his time as Baggage Master, Mr Dodds (known as 'Alf' to family and friends) came into contact with the rich and famous, including Elizabeth Taylor on her honeymoon with Nicky Hilton, Bob Hope and trumpeter Eddie Calvert. One of his proudest moments came when he had to deliver a message to HRH the Duke of Windsor and His Highness asked Mr Dodds to stay for a drink. According to his widow, Jean, this was one of the most important moments of Alf's life, and he always felt proud to tell this story.

Another tale, this one of a more humorous nature, occurred during his tenure on the Queen Mary. The ship had docked in Southampton and was to leave the next day. As Alf told it, the stevedores were a lazy lot who were not above dawdling to make sure that they stretched out their time while increasing their pay. It was Alf's job to supervise the loading and unloading of the ship, and this night was particularly difficult. Alf had a job to do and he wanted it done; but the stevedores had other ideas.

Knowing that the sailing schedule of the Queen Mary depended on the timely loading of the vessel, Alf had the idea of getting the stevedores to work faster and then get them sacked for the trouble they had caused him. He went to the chief bartender for the ship and asked for all the slops that had been served in the Observation Bar. The bartender complied and Alf proceeded to make a mixture with slops, barley sugar and water. He then went to the stevedores and struck a bargain. If they would load the ship on time, he would provide free drinks for them The stevedores agreed, the ship was loaded, and the drinks disappeared. The stevedores, being a thirsty group, drank it all and promptly got drunk as well as sick. All of them had to lie down and chose to do so in one of the cargo holds. Some time later, the Master-at-Arms came and told Alf that the Staff Captain wanted to see him.

Alf reported nervously to the Staff Captain, who demanded to know why the stevedores were drunk and asleep in the ship's hold. He innocently told him he had no idea but would make sure that the incident was not repeated. Alf then went and kicked the stevedores off the ship and shortly thereafter they were all fired for being drunk on the job.

Alfred Dodds was an Honor Member of the Queen Mary Foundation. He took a great deal of interest in the ship he loved so well, and he was pleased to meet with the Foundation's immediate past president, David Rubin, when he related this story to Mr Rubin. Mr Dodds was a good friend and supporter of this Foundation, and his support and kindness will be missed. He leaves his wife, Jean, and a daughter, Carol.