9 replies to this topic

[Vitesse2]

Arthur Charles Dobson is one of those chaps who sank without trace after WW2. Started with Bugattis and a Riley and, having become a more than competent pedaller of ERA R9B and a Crystal Palace specialist, he filled in for the works team after Earl Howe's big Brooklands shunt in 1937 and won both the Prix de Berne and the JCC 200. Went back to driving R9B in 1938 and was again hired by ERA to drive the E-type the following year: he was the only person to drive GP-1 in anger during 1939, in practice at Reims and in the race at Albi.

He was one of the few privateers to venture to Italy in the late 30s and circumstantial evidence from David Venables' "Racing 1500s" suggests that he might have been somewhat sympathetic to fascism: on the grid for the 1938 Gran Premio di Milano he was noted as having given an enthusiastic salute when introduced to the Propaganda Minister.

In November 1941, Motor Sport noted that "It is rumoured that Arthur Dobson is no longer in the R.A.F." I investigated this and found that he had been commissioned as a "hostilities only" Pilot Officer on probation on July 19th 1940, but that commission was "terminated on cessation of duty" on February 21st 1941. Whether this is perhaps connected to what Rob Young told us here I don't know, but at that time the RAF must have had a good reason to let him go: it could of course simply be some sort of injury, but in that case presumably he could have been transferred to other duties? The implication therefore seems to be that he was cashiered. (Pilot Officer does not necessarily imply flying duties, BTW, it's just the lowest commissioned rank in the RAF.)

A couple of further Motor Sport mentions show that "Arthur Dobson has to do with radio in a works of his own" (October 1944) and that, as a member of the pre-war committee of the BRDC, he was part of the caretaker committee formed in September 1945.

After that - nothing. R9B was reported as for sale in January 1942 and eventually went to Leslie Brooke (possibly via Reg Parnell?), but Arthur apparently just disappears until March 12th 1980. When he died in Battersea aged 65.

Such is the lack of information out there that his Wikipedia page has even been deleted on the grounds of "no assertion of notability", which - even though it was simply cribbed from Leif's Golden Era site - seems a trifle unfair In addition to the above achievements, he's one of the few drivers to have been seen racing on television prior to WW2: he won a televised match race at Crystal Palace against Prince Bira!

So, can anybody offer any more?

[Tim Murray]

You're probably already aware of this, Richard, but just in case - here's what JVB wrote about Dobson's later years in his Autosport obituary:

The rest of the story is sad, for Arthur went through his fortune and was in straitened circumstances after the war. He dropped right out of the motor racing scene and, in fact, as he told me at the ERA dinner on March 10, he only saw three race meetings after 1945. Although he was obviously in poor shape physically, he evidently liked talking about the good old days and this may have brought him some consolation in his final hours, before he died on March 12.

[Doug Nye]

I met Arthur Dobson a couple of times late in his life, on one occasion I believe from memory at the opening of the Donington Collection. He was a parchment pale, shrunken gentleman in a frayed dark-grey suit as I recall, with hat and overcoat. He spoke falteringly and showed little recall if I remember rightly. He seemed faintly embarrassed to be there. I do recall Cyril Posthumus telling me he'd "done his money" and had been having a very difficult time. My memory may well be flawed, but I believe he had had real problems with the demon alcohol. A number of his old friends rallied round to help him towards the end. But it sounds as if they were really too late. I wonder if his ejection from the RAF involved drink?

Pre-war he had proved himself a most capable driver, respected by the likes of Seaman and Monkhouse - and 'Lofty' England. Not many other Brits qualified in their eyes. in contrast his brother, Austin 'Fatty' Dobson, was not rated at all.

DCN

Edited by Doug Nye, 27 March 2013 - 22:55.

[Vitesse2]

Thank you both. I had a feeling there was probably a sad story there

Ironic that his end was just as anonymous and poignant as his great rival Bira's five years later.

[Doug Nye]

The more one understands of the past the more cautionary tales one can apply to one's own life. A sobering thought.

DCN

[arttidesco]

Apologies for belated pedantry, but for the record would I be correct in thinking Richard made a rare typo in the opening post of this thread referring to the other white ERA R9B, purchased by DH Scribbans, when he should have been referring to the original white ERA, with chrome radiator, R7B purchased by AC Dobson ?

[Vitesse2]

R7B indeed.

 

it was two-thirds correct.

[arttidesco]

Thanks Richard

[taylov]

The death certificate for Arthur Dobson, aged 65, reveals that he died at home from pneumonia. No contributing factors are listed.  Overseas members of the Forum may not be aware that in the UK Birth, Marriage and Death certificates are public documents and certified copies may be obtained by anyone for a fee of £9 (around $15)

 

Arthur was living at 14, Rowena Crescent, Battersea, London SW11, a 3-bedroom terraced house backing onto the railway. His occupation was stated to have been "Motor mechanic (retired)".

Edited by taylov, 04 March 2016 - 10:20.

[Eric Dunsdon]

 I am sorry to see that Arthur Dobson's story was such a sad one. As a schoolboy enthusiast learning my motor racing history in the early 1950's I had formed a high opinion of of Mr Dobsons ability as a racing driver. From what I have read over the years my opinion remains unchanged.