Duncan Cenotaph
As part of our project to document the names on the Duncan Cenotaph in Charles Hoey Park, here is a page about Captain John Shedden Dobbie, who died 5 October 1917, aged 23, while serving with the Gordon Highlanders. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.
Here is the local Cowichan Leader newspaper report of the death of Captain John Shedden Dobbie:
“Captain. J.S. Dobbie
News has been received by cable from London of the death of Captain John Shedden Dobbie, 2 Bn. the Gordon Highlanders, on October 5th, “killed in action.” Captain Dobbie joined the 48th Canadians in Victoria in March 1915 as a private and was promoted sergeant before it left for overseas service. In England he got a commission in the 2nd Gordon Highlanders and was wounded in the capture of Guichy in September, 1916, being left for dead on the battlefield. He recovered from his two wounds then and, after a precarious period of treatment, regained his strength and was sent across to the same battalion in April, 1917. He was again wounded the following month but remained at duty and served in France and Flanders continuously until the end. He was promoted to command of a company last month. Before joining the 48th he was at the Bank of Montreal, Alberni. He was born in India and was the fourth son of Col. H.H. Dobbie of Maple Bay, and the second who has laid down his life in this war.”
(Source: Cowichan Leader, 25 October 1917, in Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission shows John Shedden Dobbie as “Son of Col. H. H. Dobbie (Indian Army) and Margaret (daughter of the late T. Forlong-Gordon, J.P.), of St. Erins, Tarbert, Loch Fyneside, Argyll.”
Here are links to additional information about John Shedden Dobbie:
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