Thomas and the 1/1st Lanarkshire Yeomanry sailed for Gallipoli in September 1915 and landed at Cape Helles on 11/10/1915. It now came under command of the 52nd (Lowland) Division. After being evacuated from Gallipoli in late 1915 the Regiment went via Mudros (a port on the island of Lemnos) to Egypt, arriving on the 07/02/1916. It now came under orders of the 1st Dismounted Brigade. On the 16/10/1916 the Brigade was broken up and the Regiment went to the 2nd Dismounted Brigade. The Imperial Camel Corps was formed on the 19/12/1916. The 7th Company Imperial Camel Corps were part of the 2nd British Battalion at the Battle of Rafa. The Battle, also known as the Action of Rafah, fought on the 9th January 1917, was the third and final battle to complete the recapture of the Sinai Peninsula by British forces during the Sinai and Palestine campaign. It forced the Ottomans to withdraw the Sinai outposts towards Gaza. This also reduced the need for independent camel patrols across the Sinai; in May the Egyptian Expeditionary Force consolidated the now-surplus companies into a new unit, the 4th (ANZAC) Battalion. Two of Thomas' brothers serving at the time he fell were Trooper George Dobbie of the Royal Scots Greys (B Squadron) and the other was Sergeant Gavin G Dobbie of the Indian Contingent (see photos for Gavin's photo). Thomas and George are both on the Middle United Free Church Roll of Honour (see photos). Thomas' Pension was awarded to his father Charles of 75a Dunbeth Rd, Coatbridge. His Grave photo was kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. Thomas is also remembered on the Coatbridge Technical College and Middle United Free Churches Rolls of Honour (brother George also mentioned on the Church one. See photos). See photos for Thomas' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 3, Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, his Pension Records x 2, Thomas' Headstone inscription and the Lanarkshire Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps Cap Badges. Thomas' grave inscription reads "DEATH IS THE MESSENGER OF PEACE". Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 7 (Coatbridge Express x 3, Coatbridge Leader x 2 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 2).
