Main CPGW Record
Surname: DOBBY
Forename(s): Ben
Place of Birth: Gargrave, Yorkshire
Service No: 42730
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 6th (Service) Battalion
Division: 11th (Northern) Division
Age: 25
Date of Death: 1917-10-09
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 52 to 54.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: GARGRAVE, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Ben Dobby was the son of Thomas and Sarah Ann Dobby, née Moss. Thomas was born at Ripon and Sarah at Leeds, Yorkshire. Ben was the cousin of Private William Gill (235189) (q.v.).
1901 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: North Street - Ben Dobby, aged 8 years, born Gargrave, son of Thomas and Sarah A. Dobby.
1911 Eldroth, Yorkshire Census: Park House - Benjamin Dobby, aged 18 years, born Gargrave, Yorkshire. [Ben was boarding with his sister, Hannah and brother-in-law, David Wood.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Ben Dobby, 42730, York. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Ben Dobby, 42730, 8/York. R.; 6/York. R. Dead.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Ben Dobby, 42730, 6 Yorks. Date and Place of Death: 9.10.17 France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - Thomas. £10 13s. 8d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Ben. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mr Thomas Dobby. Relationship: Father. Address: North Street, Gargrave.
Ben was killed in action near Poelcappelle [Poelkapelle] during the Battles of Ypres, 1917, 31 July-10 November, at the Battle of Poelcappelle, 9 October.
A short biography of Ben is included in: ‘From Mills to Marching and Back Again – A History of Gargrave from 1900 to 1925’ by Sue Lyall and Donavon Slaven with contributions from George Ingle, Ray Jones and Martin Thompson (2019).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
DOBBY, B., Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. Thos. Dobby, North Street, [Gargrave], killed in action.
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Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private Ben DOBBY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 11th (Northern) Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
19 October 1917
DOBBY – Killed in action, Private Ben Dobby, Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. Thomas Dobby, North Street, Gargrave.
19 October 1917
ANOTHER GARGRAVE SOLDIER PAYS THE PRICE
On Tuesday morning Mr. Thomas Dobby, North Street, received official information that his son, Private Ben Dobby, Yorkshire Regiment, B.E.F., whose photo we give above, had been killed in action.
His captain, L. Dawnay, writes:– “He was taking part in an attack when he was shot through the head by a piece of shrapnel and was killed immediately. I hope you will accept my deepest sympathy in your great loss. He did his duty up to the time of his death, when he made the greatest sacrifice of all.”
Private B. Dobby was a fine, well-built young follow and enlisted at Halifax on February 11th 1916, going to France on August 9th last. Prior to enlisting he was a farm servant with Mr. Tyrer at the Craven Heifer Inn, near Skipton.
26 October 1917
GARGRAVE – IN MEMORIAM
At the Parish Church last Sunday night, at the conclusion of his sermon, the Vicar most feelingly and sympathetically referred to the recent death in action of Private Ben Dobby, whose portrait we published in our last week’s issue, and Mr. E. Burlend played the 'Dead March' in ‘Saul,’ the congregation standing meanwhile.
11 October 1918
DOBBY – In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Private Ben Dobby, Gargrave, 6th Yorkshire Regiment, killed in action October 9th, 1917.
There on the field of battle
He nobly took his place,,
He fought and died for Britain
And the honour of his race.
From Father, Jenny, Thomas and Jim.
DOBBY – In loving memory of our dear brother, Private Ben Dobby, of Gargrave, killed in action October 9th, 1917.
The unknown grave is the bitterest blow
None but an .aching heart can know.
Ellen and Charlie, East Street, Gargrave.
DOBBY – In loving memory of our dear brother, Private Ben Dobby, of Gargrave, killed in action October 9th 1917.
We miss the form, we miss the smile,
We miss a voice that cheered the while;
Grim death is but the open door
That leads to loved ones gone before;
He rests from pain for whom we weep,
In Jesus doth our brother sleep.
Sallie and Jim (in France).
DOBBY – In loving memory of our dear brother, Private Ben Dobby, of Gargrave, killed in action October 9th, 1917.
“May his reward be greater then his sacrifice.”
From Hannah and David, Newby Crossing, Clapham.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
19 October 1917
DOBBY – Killed in action, Pte. Ben Dobby, of the Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. Thos. Dobby, of North Street, Gargrave.
19 October 1917
ANOTHER GARGRAVE SOLDIER KILLED
On Tuesday morning Mr. Thomas Dobby, North Street, Gargrave, received official information that his son, Pte. Ben Dobby, of the Yorkshire Regiment, had been killed in action. His captain, L. Dawnay, writes:– “He was taking part in an attack when he was shot through the head by a piece of shrapnel and was killed immediately. I hope you will accept my deepest sympathy in your great loss. He did his duty up to the time of his death, when he made the greatest sacrifice of all.” Pte. Dobby was a fine, well-built young fellow, and enlisted at Halifax on February 11, 1916, going to France on August 9th last. Prior to enlisting he was a farm servant with Mr. Tyrer at the Craven Heifer Inn, near Skipton.
26 October 1917
GARGRAVE
IN MEMORIAM – At the Parish Church last Sunday night, at the conclusion of his sermon the Vicar most feelingly and sympathetically referred to the recent death in action of Pte. Ben Dobby, whose portrait we published in our last week’s issue. Mr. E. Burlend played the ‘Dead march’ in ‘Saul,’ the congregation standing meanwhile.
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