Herbert Thomas Dobbin was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel G. M. Dobbin and was born on 27 May 1878.[2] He was educated at Bedford Modern School and was commissioned a second-lieutenant in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry on 18 January 1899.[3][4] He saw active service in Africa, and from 1911 to 1913 was commander of the Gambia Company, part of the West African Frontier Force.[5]
First World War
As an experienced professional soldier Dobbin was attached to a variety of Regiments as battalion commander during the War. From 29 June to 6 September 1916 he commanded the 1/4th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment.[6] From 7 September 1916 to 24 February 1917, he commanded the 1/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment.[7] From 30 May 1917 to 11 July 1917 he commanded the 1/8th (Ardwick) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment at Havrincourt Wood, after which he was appointed the Commander of the 4th Army Military School.[8] He was appointed GOC of the 75th Infantry Brigade on 8 February 1918 and was its commander during the German offensive at the First Battle of Bapaume during the following month.[9]
After the war Dobbin saw further service in West Africa before assuming command of the Iraq Levies in October 1922. This was a force of roughly brigade-strength drawn in large numbers from Iraq's non-Muslim population.[13] In 1923 Dobbin was appointed a CBE in recognition of his command of this force.[10] In 1926 he returned to England and until 1930 served as Colonel-Commandant of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.[10]
Herbert Dobbin retired from the Army in 1935. He died at Budleigh Salterton, Devon on 9 September 1946. He was unmarried.[10][14]