Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Second War 1941 military division M.B.E., ‘Mesopotamia 1921’ M.S.M., and Messina Earthquake 1908 group of nine awarded Squadron Leader A. E. Dobson, Royal Air Force, late Petty Officer Telegraphist, Royal Navy - a veteran of the battles of Heligoland Bight and Dogger Bank, who went on to become a wireless expert serving with distinction in Mesopotamia and during the Chanak Crisis of 1922. He was later crucial for the wireless training of Polish flying and ground personnel at the Polish Depot, May 1940 - September 1942

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type, breast badge, silver; 1914-15 Star (233562 A. E. Dobson, P.O. Tel., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (233562 A. E. Dobson. P.O. Tel. R.N.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (334604. F/Sgt. A. E. Dobson. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (334604 F/Sjt. A. E. Dobson. R.A.F.); Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, unnamed as issued, mounted on card for display, polished, generally nearly very fine or better (9) £1,000-£1,400

M.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1942. The original recommendation states:

‘Polish Depot, Blackpool. This officer has been employed as signals officer at the Polish Depot since December 1939 and has been responsible for all wireless training of Polish flying and ground personnel. In the early stages of the formation and building up of the Polish organisation in Great Britain the difficulties in connection with the intake of allied personnel, language problems, the training of instructors and the gradual conversion of instruction in Polish to instruction in English, coupled with the handicap of a lack of equipment, were great and numerous. Throughout that period Flight Lieutenant Dobson exhibited obedience and efficiency and, by praiseworthy perseverance, he has succeeded in developing a wireless training organisation which has met the heavy demands of Polish operational units.’

M.S.M. London Gazette 21 October 1921:

‘For distinguished service in the field in Mesopotamia.’

The original recommendation states:

‘For his untiring energy, skill and devotion to duty. This N.C.O. as senior W/T Mechanic has been largely instrumental in keeping up the numerous W/T stations of the R.A.F. and in training the new operators on their arrival. Without this N.C.O.’s untiring work, communication with all the stations of the R.A.F. could not have been kept up, especially during the hot weather, when many of the mechanics were incapacitated by sickness and partially trained men had to take their place.’

Albert Edward Dobson was born to British parents in Newhaven, Connecticut, United States of America in April 1889. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in April 1905, and advanced to Ordinary Seaman in April 1907. Subsequent service included as a Telegraphist with H.M.S. Minerva, 22 September 1908 - 17 October 1910, during which time she was engaged in the Messina Earthquake emergency (medal confirmed in Angels in Blue Jackets).

Dobson advanced to Leading Telegraphist in April 1911, and to Petty Officer Telegraphist in January 1915. Great War service included with the cruiser H.M.S. Falmouth, 20 April 1914 - 1 May 1916, during which time she was engaged in the battles of Heligoland Bight and Dogger Bank. Dobson served with the battleship H.M.S. Superb, 8 July 1916 - 31 March 1918. He was discharged from the Royal Navy on completion of his engagement in April 1919.

Dobson enlisted in the Royal Air Force as a Wireless Operator in the rank of Flight Sergeant in August 1919. He was more or less earmarked immediately for overseas service, arriving in India in November 1919, and then being posted to Basrah, Iraq (HQ 31 Wing) in January 1920. Dobson was identified as an expert in wireless transmission and had various attachments, one of 3 months with 55 Squadron, then Aircraft Park and later on to 208 Squadron in March 1922. His record of service gives details of aircrew pay and air gunner’s pay and it is obvious that his pioneering radio trials required him to fly. He served with 208 Squadron as part of the newly constituted British Forces in Turkey, and was present with them in September 1922 during the Chanak Crisis.

208 Squadron were part of the Constantinople Wing which moved to Turkey as part of the first rapid deployment operation undertaken by the Royal Air Force. This timely movement of several dispersed squadrons proved enough of a deterrent to an encroaching Turkey as to avert another war between the two nations. Dobson’s M.S.M. was gazetted in October 1921, but was not presented to him until an investiture parade held in Constantinople by Group Captain P. M. F. Fellowes, Commander of the R.A.F. Wing in Turkey.

Dobson remained in Turkey with 25 Squadron, before returning to the UK in September 1923. He served with No. 84 Group in Egypt, December 1926 - February 1930, before retiring for a second time, as Warrant Officer, in June 1931. Dobson volunteered for service with the outbreak of the Second World War, and was granted a commission as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in November 1939. He advanced to Squadron Leader and served in the Technical Branch (Signals), seeing a variety of station and staff postings including with the Polish Depot, May 1940 - September 1942. Squadron Leader Dobson died in August 1966.

Sold with the following original related documents: Bestowal document for recipient’s M.B.E., dated 1 January 1942; named enclosure for M.B.E.; contemporary booklet entitled Iraq, Photographic Studies By Oliver F. Butler; photographic image of recipient in uniform with his family, and copied service papers and research.