George DOBBY

19 May 1916

DOBBY – April 26th, killed in action in France, Pte. G. Dobby, West Riding Regiment, formerly of Spring Gardens, Skipton, and latterly of Crosshills.

19 May 1916

WITH THE 9TH WEST RIDINGS – FORMER SKIPTON MAN KILLED

The relatives of Private G. Dobby, 9th West Riding Regiment, and formerly of Skipton, have received official information of his death, which took place in action on April, 26th. The first intimation came in a brief note from the deceased’s Company Commander, in the following terms:– “Mrs. Dobby. Dear Madam, – It is with great regret that I have to inform you that Pte. G. Dobby was very badly wounded yesterday afternoon and is now missing. I have done everything possible to find him, but I am afraid he is killed. If there is anything else I can do, or information I can give you, I shall be very pleased to be of service to you.”

This was followed by a second letter, three days later, from the same officer which states:– “Replying to your letter regarding your son, he was one of my snipers. He was in the front line trench on the 26th of April, when, at 5 p.m., the Germans opened a fearful bombardment on our line razing our trenches to the ground. The first part of the bombardment lasted one and a half hours, during which your son was hit in the spine by shrapnel. He was then placed in a dugout to allow some very badly wounded men to be taken to the dressing station. In the meantime the dugout in which your son was placed had a direct hit, and I regret to say he was practically blown to pieces and buried under the debris. You have my deepest sympathy. I have done my best to try and find some of his things, but have failed.”

Pte. Dobby’s parents formerly resided at Spring Gardens, Skipton leaving there for Crosshills when the Silk Mill was destroyed by fire.

Pte. Dobby was employed at Dixon’s Bobbin Mill, Steeton, prior to enlistment, and his parents subsequently migrated to Hebden Bridge district. Deceased was a former chorister at Skipton Parish Church. He was one of three sons serving with the Colours, one arriving in France about the time of his brother’s death.

23 June 1916

REPORTED DEAD BUT NOW ALIVE – GOOD NEWS OF A SKIPTON SOLDIER

In our issue of May 19th last we reported the receipt from the Company Commander of the news that Pte. G. Dobby, 9th West Riding Regiment, and formerly of Skipton, had been reported wounded and missing. Three days later came a letter from the same officer stating that Pte. Dobby had been hit in the spine by shrapnel, and he was placed in the dug-out, and that this was afterwards blown to pieces and Pte. Dobby buried under the debris.

This week, however, the parents, who reside at Hebden Bridge, had a postcard from their son to say he was wounded and prisoner of war in Germany, and that he was being well looked after. After receiving official news from the War Office that he was dead, the parents had given up all hope, and they are naturally overjoyed at the pleasing intelligence.

Pte. Dobby’s parents formerly resided in Spring Gardens, Skipton, leaving there for Crosshills when the silk mill was destroyed by fire. Pte. Dobby was employed at Dixon’s Bobbin Mill in Steeton prior to enlistment, and his parents subsequently went to Hebden Bridge district. He was a former chorister at the Skipton Parish Church and is one of three sons serving with the colours.