Alfred was born during 1884, the son of Frank Dodson, a spring knife cutler and Mary Dodson, nee Watkinson while living at 10 West John Street. Their eldest son, George, aged 14 was already employed as a cutler. Alfred's mother died shortly after his birth and by 1901 he was working as a spring knife cutler living with his sister and brother-in-law in Walkley. Eight years later Alfred married Mary Ann Costello and moved to Hawthorn Street also in Walkley. Tthe 1911 census described him as a spring knife manag....