Dobell | Charles Macpherson | | Captain | DOBELL, CHARLES MACPHERSON, Captain and Brevet Major, was born 22 June, 1869, son of Richard R Dobell, of Beauvoir Manor, Quebec. He entered the Army 20 August 1890; served in the Hazara Expedition, 1891 (Medal with clasp); became Lieutenant 13 July 1892; was Adjutant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 7 July 1896 to 6 November 1900; took part in operations in Crete, 1897-98 (Brevet of Major 8 March, 1899); became Captain 22 February 1899. He served in the South African War, 1899-1900, in command of a regiment of Mounted Infantry (22 February to 13 July 1900); Relief of Kimberley; operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February), actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River (3 and 4 May) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions near Johan-nesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); operations in Orange River Colony, May to 15 July 1900, including actions at Wittebergen (1 to 13 July). He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September, 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with six clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Charles Macpherson Dobell, Captain and Brevet Major, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia, Warrant and Statutes were sent to the GOC troops in Hong Kong, and presented by him on 17 March, 1902. He served in China in 1900 (Medal), and West Africa (Northern Nigeria) in 1906; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 18 September 1906, and 2 July 1907]; was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel (29 Sept, 1907), and received the Medal and clasp. He was promoted to Major 28 September 1907. He was GS03, HQ of Army, 1 April 1907 to 1 February 1909; was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, Bedfordshire Regiment, 4 May 1912; was GSO2, HQ of Army, 2 February 1909 to 31 March, 1911; was Military ADC to the King 4 November 1910 to 2 June 1915; was given the Brevet of Colonel 4 November 1910; became Colonel 1 September 1913; was Temporary Brigadier General and Inspector-General, West African Frontier Force, 1 September 1913 to 22 April 1916, during which time he commanded the Allied Forces in the Cameroons, having been promoted to Major General 3 June 1915. General Dobell commanded the Western Frontier Force, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 9 June to 18 September 1916; was Temporary Lieutenant General 19 September 1916 to 21 April 1917, commanding No 3 Section, Canal Defences, Egyptian Expeditionary Force (19 September to 22 October 1916), and commanding Eastern Frontier Force, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 23 October 1916 to 1 May 1917. He was Divisional Commander, India, from 6 August 1917. He was created a CMG in 1914, and a KCB in 1916. He was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Welsh Fusiliers |