Tower and Town, October 2025 (view the full edition)Sidney Dobie (1896-1956What is the connection between Dobie and Wyatt, and how is it linked to Dobie Family? The answer is Sidney Arthur Dobie, my great grandfather - second from the right in the back row of the photograph on page 3.
Between 1914 - 1920, Sidney served in both The Wiltshire Regiment and in the Machine Gun Corps. He was also awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal in 1920. The 1921 census details that Sidney had returned to Marlborough to live with his parents in Hammonds Yard. He was working as a grocer's cartman for Stratton and Sons on Marlborough High Street. The photograph may show Sidney in his smart work uniform when he worked for Stratton and Sons.
Sidney was known as 'Brusher' and was also a retained fireman in Marlborough. When the fire siren sounded on the Town Hall, Sidney would run to Ducks Meadow where the horses were kept. He would open the gate and the horses would automatically go to the Fire Station on the High Street, where Waitrose is now. By 1926, the Fire Engines were mechanised. Sidney and Jenny had ten children: Joyce Kathleen 1923-1996. The number in brackets after each name denotes the number of children they had. Robert Thomas 1924-1976 - Bob Dobie, the mace-bearer (5). Grace Agnes 1926-2006 - Grace was the lady who had the big pram with all the children in it. (6). Gordon John 1928-2004 - my grandfather known as Johnny (5). Esther 1931-? (2). David 'Dan' Edward 1934-2025 (1). Lucille Pauline 1938-1984 - married to Willis Dean who used to work for David Chandler in London Road (2). Spencer Louis 1939 - joint founder of Dobie Wyatt (2). Jenny Gertrude 1940-2018 - very sadly Jenny's twin died at birth and their mother died in childbirth.  ;
Kim Wakeham |
Sidney Dobie was born in 1896 and lived with his parents in Hammond's Yard. The 1911 census records that at the age of 14, he had left school and was working as an errand boy.