Private James Dobson

Army Number: 3875

Battalion: 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment.

Born in Beeston in 1898 and lived at 35 Lambert Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham. He was the son of George Thomas and Lilly (Brown), Dobson. He was a butcher prior to enlisting on 9th March 1915 at Nottingham. On his enlistment documents he stated he was 19 years 1 month but he was actually 17 years 11 months. He enlisted in the 3/7 Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment and was put on home duties. He was transferred to the 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment, on 3rd March 1916 and sent to France on 4th March 1916. He was wounded on 1st July 1916 in the attack on the German positions at Gommecourt, France, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He died of these wounds later the same day and was buried by a party from the 1st Battalion Queens Westminster Rifles (16th London Regiment). Later his grave was relocated to the Arras Road Cemetery.

Buried: Arras Road Cemetery, Roclincourt, France. Plot 3. Row B. Grave 7.

Private James Dobson is also commemorated on the following local memorials:-
St. Augustine’s Roll of Honour (St. Leodegarius Church) Basford, Nottingham.
Victoria Embankment War Memorial, Nottingham.