Dobson, Eric Trist
Lieutenant
2nd Battalion, 124th Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan Infantry
Died in service on Tuesday 8 June 1920 (aged 23)
Buried:
Port Said War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt (Panel T. 2)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Campbell College Belfast War Memorial
Journey of Remembering Belfast Book of Honour
BIOGRAPHY
Eric Trist Dobson was born on 3 June 1897 at 8 Orient Gardens, Cliftonville, Belfast and he was the only son of William James Dobson (who was born in County Kerry) and Violet Mary Dobson (nee Cooper, who was born in India). They were married around 1896.
William James Dobson worked as a bank official with the Provincial Bank of Ireland and he and Violet Mary had two children:
Eric Trist (born 3 June 1897 at 8 Orient Gardens, Cliftonville, Belfast)
Doreen Mary (born 7 August 1900 in Cliff Villa, Glenburn Park, Belfast)
The Dobson family had addresses in Belfast – 8 Orient Gardens, Cliftonville; Old Park; Parkgate Avenue and 2 Cliff Villa, Glenburn Park – and in Bangor – 44 Seacliffe Road and 2 Godfrey Avenue.
Eric Trist Dobson attended Campbell College from 1907 to 1915 and after that he joined the Army. His mother having been born in India, Eric served with the 124th Duchess of Connaught’s Own Baluchistan Infantry and he experienced service in Hong Kong, India, Mesopotamia and Palestine.
When Lieutenant Eric Dobson died at the Eastern Essex Hotel, Port Said on 8 June 1920 (aged 23), his parents were living in Kilkeel. They presented books to Campbell College in his memory and he is commemorated on Campbell College War Memorial and in the Belfast Book of Honour (Page 155).
Lieutenant Eric Trist Dobson’s father died at 2 Godfrey Avenue, Bangor on 18 December 1940 (aged 75) and his mother died on 16 February 1957 (aged 84). They were buried in Bangor Cemetery, Newtownards Road, Bangor and their headstone is in the form of a Celtic Cross.