Thomas Dobson enlisted with the Mounted Rifles and was transferred to the Artillery in 1916, before embarkation to France. After arrival there, he suffered a gunshot wound to his chin. After hospital treatment and convalescence, he was back on duty in January, 1917. He was wounded a second time, with a gunshot wound to his arm, the following April. His Army record contains the note "GSW multiple sev" - multiple, severe. His notes also mention a compound fracture of the left humerus.
While in hospital it was announced that Thomas had been awarded the Military Medal, for "acts of gallantry in the field." The following July he was classified as unfit for further service and repatriated on the HS Marama. He received his discharge at Trentham in August, 1917.
DUNTROON NOTES.
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
Last Tuesday evening a very successful send-off social was held in the Defence Hall to farewell Messrs Thos. Dobson, Alex. Stringer and Jas. Haugh who were off to Trentham. The chair was occupied by Mr J. A. Macpherson, who gave a very appropriate address. Mr H. Hamilton also spoke and applauded the recruits on the step they had taken. Mrs Jas Pringle on behalf of the committee made the presentation of a wristlet watch to Mr Dobson, and shaving outfits to Messrs Stringer and Haugh, while from the Red Cross ladies' committee, each one received a soldiers' kit bag. Mr T. Dobson suitably replied for himself and his comrades. During the evening the following items were contributed: Piano overture, Miss Pringle; songs by Misses Beck, Mrs Tallentire, Messrs T. Dobson. W. Ross and J. Tallentire.
The chairman thanked all who had assisted and the ladies for providing refreshments. The music for the dance was supplied by Messrs C. Duncan and J. Rankin (piano), Messrs A. Menzies and Jas Fyfe (violins). Messrs T. Dobson and M. Francis acted as M.Cs. -Oamaru Mail, 23/9/1916.
SOCIAL AT TOKARAHI.
(Our Own Correspondent.) A large number of friends, attended the welcome home social to Bombardier Dobson, held in the Tokarahi hall on Friday. Mr Hore, chairman of the Patriotic Committee, presided, and explained the object of the social, also pointing out that presentations would be made to the next-of-kin of the fallen soldiers in this district.
After the singing of a verse of the National Anthem, dancing was commenced, with Mr Wilson as M.C. At about 10.30 p.m. the chairman presented a gold medal to Bombardier Dobson, who suitably replied, and the audience sang "For he's a jolly good fellow." Mr Lindley Murray then presented to the next-of-kin a gold medal to each of the fallen soldiers as follows: — Trooper J. A. Porter (Anzac), Private J. Dasler, Private H. Oliver, Rifleman J MacDonald.
Mr Lory, (chairman of the Livingstone Patriotic Committee) and Mr John Adams (Livingstone) suitably addressed) the audience. On the stage, in addition to the next-of-kin, were Messrs Lory, Adams, Private Russell, Sergeant-Major Colston.
The chairman pointed out that although things at the front were not as bright as they might be, he was certain that England, with her allies, would come out on top.
During the evening the Duntroon Glee Party (with Miss Beck at the piano) rendered several very enjoyable part songs, which were relished by the audience, judging from the numerous encores demanded. The dance music was in the capable hands of Mrs Beck (piano) and Mr Paterson (violin), while Miss Robertson also assisted at the piano. The refreshments were supplied by the ladies of the district, and it is needless to add that there was an abundance of all good things.
The committee take this opportunity of thanking one and all for their assistance in making the social so successful. -Oamaru Mail, 18/9/1917.
In 1917, a Gunner Dobson wrote the following observations. He is reported as "W Dobson," so might not be our man. It is included, however, as an interesting account of wartime Britain:
Gunner W. Dobson, N.Z.F.A., drops the Free Lance a cheerful line from Oldham. He says: ''All the boys are doing fine, but would rather be in old New Zealand. It is the only place on the map. The sun does shine there. The New Zealand Field Artillery in camp at Oldham had played a North v. South Island match in aid of the Oldham Royal Infirmary. South Island won by 10 points to 6. Gunner Dobson writes that the match proved a huge success, the "gate" being worth £400. -Free Lance, 6/7/1917.
Gunner W. Dobson, of the New Zealand Field Artillery, drops us the following few interesting lines from Blighty: — Dear Lance I am sending a. cutting from an Oldham paper, which I think will- interest you and perhaps the readers of the Free Lance. It just shows how we boys are looking after the peace cranks over here. The worst of it was there were not enough to go round so that we could have one each! A lot of us had to be content with a piece of coat or vest, one had only a handful of oily hair, but he was happy. No more peace meetings are to be held in Oldham, so the cranks have informed the police. It is just as well for them. I suppose they have found out that Bill Massey's boots are not as soft as brown paper looks!
The following is the clipping Gunner Dobson refers to: - The pale blood of Pacifists was shed in Oldham last night. True, the blood which flowed was not much, blue bruises being more in evidence than wounds. For hours the streets echoed with voices raised in "battle," and above the din could be heard the blood-curdling Maori war-cry of New Zealand soldiers. And all this strife marked the opening of a "Week's Peace Mission" in the town. One shudders at the thought of what will happen before the "mission" ends, that is if the other nightly meetings arranged are persisted in. But it is highly probable that after last night's taste of public resentment the evangelists of the gospel of peace, to save their own skins, will not proceed further, with the "mission." The Pacifists were preparing to open their meeting in a place off Henshaw street when the Chief Constable informed them that they must move to the space further down, the usual place for public meetings, but at the same time strongly advised them to abandon the meeting, as there was a fear of serious disturbance. The Pacifists accordingly folded their portable platform and prepared to move. This was the signal for ironical cheering, and a huge crowd followed the small band of pallid leaders. Fearing trouble, the police endeavoured to form a bodyguard for one or two of the most prominent individuals, but, despite great efforts, were unable to shield all from a handling. Four sympathisers, including Mr. Wilfred Hill, local secretary of the I.L.P., were severely handled by soldiers and civilians before the police managed to get them to the Town Hall. Here they remained for some hours till the streets were again comparatively quiet. Later at night a party of soldiers raided the I.L.P. rooms in Union street. The door was broken open, and cards, literature, bottles, curtains, and other things were thrown into the street. The rooms are a portion of a block of buildings used for various; purposes, including offices of the Union of General Workers, of which Mr. J. R. Clynes, M.P:, is secretary, but the soldiers strictly confined themselves to the contents of the I.L.P. rooms, and did no damage to the building itself. No arrests were made during the night, the police being fully occupied in saving the Pacifists from the angry crowds. -Free Lance, 28/9/1917.
Mr and Mrs W, Dobson, of Island Cliff have received information that their eldest son, Corporal W. T. Dobson, has been wounded and admitted to hospital. The second son of Mr and Mrs Dobson, Bombardier Thomas Dobson, who returned to New Zealand in August, and was twice wounded in France, has been recommended for the military medal. A third son is also at present in the firing line in France. -North Otago Times, 19/11/1917.
ASHBURTON.
At a special meeting of the Ashburton County Council held yesterday, Mr Thomas Dobson, a returned soldier, of Island Cliff, Otago, was appointed water-race ranger for the Mayfield district. -Press, 2/10/1918.
Thomas was presented with his Military Medal by Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence, at a ceremony in the Kensington Drill Hall, Dunedin on May 3rd, 1919.
Thomas' death in 1929 seems not to have been reported, save for a reference to the monthly meeting of the Oamaru Return Servicemen's Association.
Oamaru Cemetery.
No comments:
Post a Comment