DOBBIE, Charles Francis
| Service Number: | 395 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 August 1914, Randwick, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Company Sergeant Major |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 28 January 1895 |
| Home Town: | Marrickville, Marrickville, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Locomotive Engine cleaner |
| Died: | Accidently Drowned, Stanwell Park, New South Wales, Australia, 25 January 1920, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Rookwood Cemeteries & Crematorium, New South Wales Zone C Anglican 06 2045 |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 395, 2nd Infantry Battalion, Randwick, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Oct 1914: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 395, 2nd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Suffolk embarkation_ship_number: A23 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Oct 1914: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 395, 2nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Suffolk, Sydney | |
| 25 Apr 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 395, 2nd Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 7 Jun 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 395, 2nd Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, GSW (left finger) | |
| 28 Nov 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 2nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 8 Jan 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 2nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 23 Jul 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Corporal, 395, 2nd Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , 2nd occasion - GSW (right hand) | |
| 5 Mar 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 2nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 4 May 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Bullecourt (Second) | |
| 5 May 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 395, 2nd Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (Second), 3rd occasion | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 395, 2nd Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge, 4th occasion - GSW (eye) | |
| 29 Mar 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Company Sergeant Major, 2nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 31 Mar 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Company Sergeant Major, 395, 2nd Infantry Battalion |
Charles Francis Dobbie
Enlisted in AIF, 2nd Battalion D Company with Regimental Number 395. He served in Egypt, Galipoli, and the Western Front.
Charles was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the Field for the attack on the Hindenburg Line. Final rank of Company Sergeant Major at conflict's end.
Submitted 10 April 2018 by Jim Dobbie
Biography contributed by Jim Dobbie
"RETURNED SOLDIER DROWNED AT STANWELL PARK
Charles Dobbie, a returned soldier, lately living at Petersham-road, Marrickville, was drowned in the surf on Sunday. A party of eight boys and girls went to Stanwell Park for the day, and in the afternoon they all went into the surf. A big breaker soon had several members of the party in difficulties. Dobbie was washed out farther than the others. Two of the girls were rescued by a third. Miss Vida Payne, of West Sydney, was farther out in the sea. After a hard struggle, Dave Wilson, of West Botany-street, Rockdale, also a returned man and a member of the party, succeeded in getting the girl ashore. He then went out for Dobbie, who however had disappeared. Up till last night his body had not been recovered. Dobbie recently returned after four and a half years' active service." - from the Sydney Morning Herald 27 Jan 1920 (nla.gov.au)
"DROWNING ACCIDENTS
Sydney, Jan. 26. While attempting to rescue a girl who had been carried out of her depth at Stanwell Park yesterday, Sergeant-Major Charles Dobbie, M.M., a returned soldier, 30 years of age who had been bathing with a party of friends, became exhausted and could not regain the shore. He was drowned, but the girl was subsequently rescued." - from the Perth Western Australian 29 Jan 1920 (nla.gov.au)
"DOBBIE.- January 25, 1920, accidentally drowned at Stanwell Park, three days before his 25th birthday, Co.-sergt-major Charles Francis Dobbie, M.M., late 2nd Batt., dearly loved second son of Blanche H. Dobbie, of 143 Petersham-road, Marrickville. Deeply regretted.
DOBBIE.- January 25, accidentally drowned, C. S.-major Charles F. Dobbie. M.M., late 2nd Battalion, dearly beloved grandson of Catherine and the late William Dobbie, and dearly loved nephew and cousin of C. and R. and A. J. Skidmore, No. 1 Richards-avenue, Moore Park.
DOBBIE.- January 25, C. S. M. Dobbie. M.M., accidentally drowned, beloved nephew of Mrs. E. Brooks, Stanmore.
DOBBIE.-January 25, Charlie Dobbie, late 2nd Battalion, accidentally drowned. Loving pal of Jack Murphy." - from the Sydney Morning Herald 31 Jan 1920 (nla.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Jim Dobbie
Charlie was accidentally drowned at Stanwell Park 25 January 1920
According to Charlie's brother, Charlie was a strong swimmer and was assisting with the rescue of a number of swimmers in difficulty. He held a panic stricken young woman afloat for several minutes until she was rescued. Charlie was too exhasuted to make it back through the under tow and drowned.
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