Name
Cecil Dobson
9/08/1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/11/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
83418
Royal Garrison Artillery
160th Siege Bty.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CHESHUNT BURIAL GROUND
17. FJ.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Church of St Mary the Virgin Memorial Cheshunt, Cheshunt Burial Ground, Winchester training Collage Roll of the Fallen
Pre War
Cecil Dobson was born in Waltham Abbey, Essex, on 9th August 1889, son of John Henry Dobson a, Metropolitan Police Constable and Sarah Florence Dobson (nee Lyons). One of eleven children although two died in infancy.
He was Baptised at Waltham Holy Cross and St Lawrence, on 13th October 1889, at the time the family were living in Greenfield Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex.
1891 Census records Cecil aged 1, living with his parents and brother Henry (4) in, Greenfield Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex.
1901 Census records Cecil aged 11, living with his parents, three brothers and four sisters, still in Greenfield Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex.
Cecil started his Teacher training at Winchester Teacher Training Collage.
1911 Census; Cecil (21) is recorded as single, his occupation is given as a School Teacher and living with his parents, two brothers and five sisters at 19 College Road, Cheshunt, Herts. His father is recorded as a Retired Police Constable and a School Attendance Officer.
Wartime Service
On 20th March 1915, Cecil enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps, Territorial Force, for 4 years with the service number 2158, promoted to Lance Corporal in January 1916.
He was discharged on his own request on 12th May 1916, so he could join the Regular Army, joining the Royal Garrison Artillery on 15th May 1916, with the service number 83418. On completion of his training and a course on bombing, he embarked at Southampton for France, on 18th September 1916, arriving the following day the 19th. Appointed Acting Corporal on 21st August 1917 and Corporal on 11th July 1918.
Cecil receive a Gun Shot Wound (GSW) to his right thigh, “compound fracture of the femur” while in action on 2nd September 1918, admitted to hospital at Rouen, France, the following day the 3rd. He was transferred back to England, arriving at No 1. General Hospital, Birmingham, on 18th September 1918, where he died of his wounds on 25th November 1918.
He is buried in Cheshunt Burial Grounds, Cheshunt, Herts.
Additional Information
His War Gratuity of £7, went to his father John Henry Dobson.
Cecil is also commemorated on the family headstone in Cheshunt Burial Ground, his inscription on the headstone reads:
" In loving memory of
CORPL. CECIL DOBSON. R.G.A. 2ND SON OF HENRY AND FLORENCE DOBSON. OF CHESHUNT.
WHO PASSED AWAY NOVR. 25TH 1918. AGED 29 YEARS.
R-I-P
GRANT HIM LORD ETERNAL REST, WITH THE SPIRITS OF THE BLESSED."
CORPL. CECIL DOBSON. R.G.A. 2ND SON OF HENRY AND FLORENCE DOBSON. OF CHESHUNT.
WHO PASSED AWAY NOVR. 25TH 1918. AGED 29 YEARS.
R-I-P
GRANT HIM LORD ETERNAL REST, WITH THE SPIRITS OF THE BLESSED."
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
