Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 127

Four: Lieutenant-Commander W. H. H. Dobson, Royal Navy, who was fortunate to survive the '17 and a half minute' mauling of H.M.S. Warrior
at the Battle of Jutland

1914-15 Star (210005. W. H. H. Dobson. P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medal (Gnr. W. H. H. Dobson. R.N.); Naval General Service Medal 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (Cd. Gnr. W. H. H. Dobson. R.N.), good very fine (4)

William Henry Hamilton Dobson was born on 25 December 1884 at Plymouth, Devon, and enlisted into the Royal Navy for 12 years' service on his 18th birthday. Posted to Impregnable as Boy 2nd Class, he saw steady promotion and served aboard the armoured cruiser Warrior at the Battle of Jutland. Warrior was hit by at least fifteen 11-inch and six 5.9 inch shells, but was saved the fate of Defence when the S.M.S. Derfflinger and four enemy battleships switched their attention to the battleship Warspite, whose steering had jammed. 71 crew members aboard Warrior lost their lives, whilst the surviving 743 were transferred to H.M.S. Engadine. Following attempts to tow her home, the stricken ship sank in the North Sea.

The day after her sinking, the Captain of Warrior, Vincent Barkly Molteno, wrote to his surviving sailors to commend them on their bravery, noting they had 'behaved magnificently'. He also asked for 10 days' leave so that they could go ashore, see friends and family and be 'cock-a-chest'.

Commissioned Gunner on 14 December 1916, Dobson served aboard the destroyer depot ship Leander at Devonport, transferring to Bullfinch in June 1917. Post-War he enjoyed a long and varied career, including periods aboard Revenge and Rodney. An 'extremely hardworking and able officer, respected by everyone on the ship', Dobson was promoted Lieutenant-Commander and placed on the Retired List on 1 April 1937.


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£520