A mysterious character who landed in Hobart late 1913 or early 1914, Squire Walter Dobson was born on 29 April 1891 in Ladhope, Selkirk, Scotland.
He played several games for South Hobart in early 1914 and enlisted in August that year. A seemingly exemplary soldier, he was wounded at the Gallipoli landing but nonetheless made his way up the ranks to Lieutenant, promoted because of his gallantry in the field.
What happened next is hard to fathom. Found drunk after causing a ruckus in a brothel, he was dismissed from HM service in August 1917 for drunkenness while on duty and resisting an officer’s escort. This sentence was commuted to severe reprimand and Dobson returned to the fray. He was subsequently charged with AWL in May 1918 and dismissed once more, finally this time.
He returned to Australia on 24 August 1918 having been docked 53 days’ pay. Little can be found on Squire Walter Dobson in Hobart after his return.
It is known, however, that he had returned to Scotland by 1924 and died on 28 May 1963 in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, at the age of 72.