Dobson, Arthur Roy Neil

Roy, as he was known, was born in Meriden, Warks, England in 1918. He immigrated to Australia with his family as a 10 year-old in 1928.

Roy initially served in the 2/7 Infantry Battalion, an element of the 6th Division. His service number was VX5835. Prior to embarking for Greece Private Dobson was transferred to the 17th Brigade and put in charge of the Officer's Mess and promoted to Corporal.

Roy was captured at Kalamata, Greece on 29 Apr 1941 along with some 8000 other Allied troops. He was transported by train first to Corinth and then to Stalag 18A at Wolfsberg via Salonica.

Assigned POW No. 3628, Roy was allocated to Arbeit Commando 11066/GW which provided labour to the Hatheyer Soap Factory in Klagenfurt. he was accommodated with 10029/GW at Waidsmannsdorf, Klagenfurt. He was interned for 1,468 days.

After repatriation to Australia, Roy re-enlisted in the army and was sent to England for post-armistice service. He was discharged from the army in England on 25 Jun 1947. Roy remained in England living in the Stafford, Staffordshire, in the Midlands. He died there in 1972 aged 54.

Supplementary details provided by Ian Dobson (son).

Link to AWM Nominal Roll

Service Record in Australian National Archives