E-mail me

Other Gosport Books

Discovery Centre Books

Research by Den Budden 2007

Sergeant MALCOLM DOBBIE, R.A.F. 1292325, Sergeant Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, Royal Air Force. Age 20 Died 16.8.1943

Flight Sergent, WILBER JOSEPH SHAVER, R.C.A.F. 137419, Flight Sergeant, Pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force. Age 21 Died 16.8.1943

Sergeant Wireless Operator/Air Gunner MALCOLM DOBBIE, R.A.F., was the son of John and Edith Dobbie, of Mile End, Essex. And Flight Sergeant Pilot, WILBUR JAMES SHAVER, R.C.A.F., the son of Joseph I and Nina M. Shaver, who came from Lancing, Michigan, in the United States of America. They took off in a Bolton Paul Defiant DR 896. The aircraft was an old obsolete night fighter, which was used at No 2 Anti Aircraft Co-operation Flight based at RAF Gosport for target towing; the date was 16th of August 1943.

The routine flight to the Anti Aircraft Range off Eastney, Portsmouth, was trouble free, however, during the exercise, the aircraft nose-dived into the sea from a height of about 200 feet, killing the pilot, Bill Shaver and Winchman, Malcolm Dobbie instantly. During operations to locate and recover the bodies and wreckage of the aircraft, the body of another airman was found (Sgt. Moffatt -see entry below).

Flt. Sgt. 'Bill' Shaver was an American from Lansing, Michigan, crossed Lake Huron into Canada, where he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Windsor, Ontario, on 21st November 1941. After his training, he was posted to this Country on 30th November the following year, posted to 1601 Flight on the 13th April 1943. He was transferred to 1622 Flight a week later.

Sergeant MALCOLM DOBBIE, R.A.F. and Flight Sergeant WILBUR JAMES SHAVER, R.C.A.F., were buried on the 16th of August 1943, next to each other, in the War Grave Section (see plan on back pages), Row 6 Grave 7, and Row 5 Grave 7 respectively. CWG headstones commemorate them both.

Able Seaman LESLIE JOHN DODSON, R.N. F/JX 289242, Able Seaman, Royal Navy. Age 23 Died 27.4. 1943

Able Seaman LESLIE JOHN DODSON, was the son of John henry and Ethel May Dodson, their home was in Hill Park Road. Gosport. He had been drafted HMS Fernieness Range, a so-called ‘Stone Frigate’ or shore-base, situated in East Lothian, Scotland. A/B Dodson was undergoing a course in gun laying.

On Tuesday 27th April, A/B Dodson travelled to Aberlady situated on the Firth of Forth. The blackout regulations were rigidly enforced. Especially as the Royal Air Force Station at Drem was only some 3—4 miles to the south east of the town. Out in the countryside, and with severe restrictions on the use of lights. The darkness was only partly eased by star or moonlight. Unable to see in the gloom, a bus struck A/B Dodson, and ran over him. He was taken to hospital, where he was found to have died of his injuries. Able Seaman, LESLIE JOHN DODSON’S remains, were returned to Gosport, where on Monday 5th May 1943. He was laid to rest in the War Graves Section (see plan on back pages), Row 6 Grave 6, his final resting-place is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

Petty Officer GEORGE JAMES DOLAN R. N. Regulator P/M 39927 9927 HMS Victory Age 34 Died 17.4.1941

Regulating Petty Officer GEORGE JAMES DOLAN, R.N., was the son of William and Ellen Dolan, he was married to Dorothy R. Dolan, and they lived in Bramber Road, Gosport. He was on duty at the Royal Naval Barracks at Portsmouth on the night of Thursday 16th April 1941; the Portsmouth area was subjected to another heavy air raid, which lasted into the early hours of the next day (17th). The City centre of Portsmouth and Southsea area, as well as Gosport, were all targeted by the large force of Junkers 88's and Heinkel 111’s, the naval ratings in the barracks of Portsmouth Dockyard were to suffer considerable damage and sustain many casualties one of those killed by the enemy action that night was P.O. Dolan who was busy organising, the rescue of his fellow servicemen.

Petty Officer GEORGE JAMES DOLAN, R.N., was buried on Monday 28th April 1941, and was laid to rest, Plot 27 Space 26. A CWG headstone commemorates his final resting-place.

Lieutenant WILLIAM HENRY DOLLERY, R.M.L.I. Lieutenant, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Age 22 Died 23.4.1918

Lieutenant WILLIAM HENRY DOLLERY, Royal Marine Light Infantry, was killed in the amphibious raid on Zeebrugge. This was a daring plan to outflank the German Defensive line. The assault cost the lives of many men including Lt. Dollery, who died on 23rd Aril 1918. He was brought back to this country aboard one of the vessel’s, which had taken them into the attack on the port

Lieutenant WILLIAM HENRY DOLLERY, Royal Marine Light Infantry, was buried on 29th April 1918, plot 59 Space 22, and is commemorated by a Family Memorial.

Corporal ALBERT EDWARD DOREY 7064, Corporal, 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. Age 31 Died 10.3.1917

Corporal ALBERT EDWARD DOREY, 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers, was husband of Flora Ethel, and they lived at No. 148 Forton Road, Gosport. He was wounded in Flander’s, and brought back to the Cottage Hospital, Runcorn, Chester. He was recovering, when he suffered a relapse, and died two days later, on 10th March 1917. He was brought back to his hometown, and was laid to rest on 15th March 1917, Plot 81 Space 13, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

Mr CHARLES FREDERICK DOWNES Australian, Munitions Worker Age 47 Died 3.8.1917

Mr. CHARLES FREDERICK DOWNES, was a joiner/carpenter, who worked in the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Priddy’s Hard, Elson, Gosport. Amongst most of his work, were the making of ammunition crates for shells and bullets. He was taken ill at the end of June, having contracted a high temperature. Admitted to the Blake Isolation Unit, Ham Lane, Gosport, which was used as a contagious infection hospital. He was diagnosed as suffering from Diphtheria. This infection was extremely contagious, and at that time, no effective cure was available. Mr Downes passed away on the 3rd of August 1917. Mr CHARLES FREDERICK DOWNES, was buried three days later (6th), and is laid to rest, Plot 50 Space 68, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

 Admin & Research

Financial, Admin Assist

adminandresearch.co.uk

Gosport.infoBlog 

Gosporteers

Gosport Office Support

Flexible Admin Support .gosportofficesupport.co.uk

Gosport Gardening

Photos of the UK

Gosport Classifieds