Dobree | George | | Lieutenant | DOBREE, GEORGE, Lieutenant, was born 10 May 1873, at St Andrew's Rectory, Guernsey, son of the Reverend Henry Lissignol Dobree, BA, late Rector of St Andrew's, Guernsey, and of Amelia, daughter of the Reverend Peter Carey, MA, sometime Rector of St Saviour's, Guernsey. He was left an orphan at the age of six, and was educated at King William's College, Isle of Man, and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, which he entered straight from school; but owing to circumstances he resigned his cadetship and went to the Continent to study modern languages. Returning to England in 1893, he entered Caius College, Cambridge, and obtained a third-class in the Modern Languages Tripos in 1896. Throughout his Cambridge career, 1893-96, he was a very keen and enthusiastic member of the Cambridge University Rifle Volunteers, and when Captain of C Troop raised it to a high state of efficiency. It was inspected by King Edward (then Prince of Wales) in May 1896. After leaving Cambridge he studied for the Guernsey Bar at Caen University, and volunteered, while a student there, for the South African War. He joined Paget's Horse, January 1900 as Corporal in the first section of the first company, and on arrival in South Africa was gazetted to Kitchener's Horse, as Lieutenant, 12 May 1900, and took part in the engagements at Klipriversdorp, Six Mile Spruit and Diamond Hill. On 12 June, 1900, he was appointed ADC to Lieutenant Colonel Legge, DSO, 6th Mounted Infantry Corps, and served in the operations in the Orange Free State against De Wet. Returning to the Transvaal, the Corps became attached to the Column under General Clements, and took part in the action at Doornkloof. On 13 December 1900, at Nooitgedacht, the camp was surprised in the early morning by Delarey, and Colonel Legge and other officers killed and wounded. Lieutenant Dobree assisted Colonel Legge to reinforce the piquets under heavy fire continuously (this appears in the 'Times History of the War', page 96), and helped materially in initiating and facilitating the safe retirement of the Column. It was for gallantry in this action that he received his DSO [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "George Dobree, Lieutenant, South African Mounted Irregular Forces. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was invested by King Edward. After further service under General French he was recommended for leave, and returned to England in January 1901. In addition to the DSO he received mention in Lord Kitchener's Despatch of 9 March, 1901, published in the London Gazette of 7 May 1901, and received the Queen's Medal with clasps for Wittebergen, Diamond Hill, Johannesburg and Cape Colony. During his residence in Guernsey he became an enthusiastic officer in the Guernsey Militia Artillery, obtaining the rank of Captain. He died in Guernsey 20 July 1907. Captain Dobree was a keen sportsman and an accomplished musician. He played the violin, piano and organ, but his chief forte was as a conductor. He was conductor of the Guernsey Orchestral Society. He was one of the founders of the Stade Franchise, RUFC, and arranged for their first visit to Cambridge in 1894.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | SAMIF |