General Sir Patrick Howard-Dobson RIP

Adrian Roberts · Dec 20, 2009

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obi...852486/General-Sir-Patrick-Howard-Dobson.html

General Sir Patrick Howard-Dobson, who has died aged 88, became Vice-Chief of Defence Staff in 1979; an able commander and an outstanding staff officer, he was also a talented all-round sportsman.

Howard-Dobson was commissioned into the Yorkshire Hussars in 1941. On his arrival in Egypt, he transferred to the 7th Queen's Own Hussars (7 QOH) and, after they moved to Burma, he took part in the arduous retreat northwards to India. The tanks were used to smash road blocks, cover the withdrawal and carry the wounded. The last 150 miles of the marathon were covered on foot.

In spring 1944 Howard-Dobson saw further action in Italy when he fought alongside American and Polish forces. During heavy fighting to breach the Gothic Line in September, he led his troop through very difficult country to support an infantry unit which was being counter-attacked by a much larger force.

Having reconnoitred on foot under intense fire, he brought his tanks over a river and drove off the enemy. He was awarded the US Silver Star and Poland's Virtuti Militari for his gallantry.

Patrick John Howard-Dobson, the son of Canon Howard Dobson, was born at Leicester on August 12 1921 and educated at King's College Choir School, Cambridge – a period he described as "all too short a stay in paradise". He went on to Framlingham College, where he was head boy and, as captain of cricket, scored 1,000 runs in the 1940 season, a record that was not broken for many years.

After the war he was granted a regular commission and attended Staff College. Regimental duty in Hong Kong and then at Tidworth provided opportunities for playing cricket. He became president of the Hong Kong Cricket Club and, back in England, played for the Combined Services, the Free Foresters and I Zingari.

In 1963 he took command of the Queen's Own Hussars following the amalgamation of 7 QOH and the 3rd Hussars. His brigadier told him to "do something about the choir", so he joined it and then took over as choirmaster.

Howard-Dobson then commanded 20 Armoured Brigade in Germany. He played cricket, golf, squash and hockey and discovered a new love, sailing. A spell at the Imperial Defence College was followed by promotion to major-general and a move to Singapore as Chief of Staff, Far East Command.

In 1972 he returned to take over as Commandant of the Staff College. Promoted to lieutenant-general and knighted in 1974, he was appointed Military Secretary at the MoD. A shrewd judge of people, he was well-equipped for the task of advising the Secretary of State on the selection of senior commanders and staff officers.

In 1977 he joined the Army Board as Quartermaster-General. His predecessor had instigated a range of reforms, and his work consisted largely of consolidation.

Promoted to full general in 1979 on his appointment as Vice-Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel & Logistics), he made the best of the unenviable task of maintaining service morale during a period of severe cutbacks in defence spending.

As Representative Colonel Commandant for the Army Catering Corps from 1976 to 1981, he visited many ACC units at home and abroad and talked to thousands of Army chefs. A friendly and compassionate man, his interest and enthusiasm were greatly valued. He retired from the Army in 1981 and became national president of the Royal British Legion. For the next six years, he played a notable part in revitalising the organisation.

At a time when the future of St Luke's Hospital for the Clergy was in doubt, as chairman of its council he confronted the House of Bishops and made a strenuous appeal to them to obtain grants from their dioceses. This may have been the first time that a lay person had addressed their Lordships. In his typical Army way, he told them that they were idle. The result was a dramatic rise in donations.

Intelligent and well-read, he had a great gift for getting along with and getting the best out of people from all walks of life, qualities which sprang from his deeply held Christian convictions.

He and his wife moved to Suffolk and became stalwarts of the east coast sailing, golfing and musical fraternities.

In 1980 he was one of 600 yachtsmen trapped in Cherbourg by a blockade of French fishermen. He served on a yachtsmen's committee set up to negotiate with consular officials.

From 1978 to 1981 he was ADC General to the Queen. He was appointed GCB in 1979.

Patrick Howard-Dobson died on November 8. He married, in 1946, Barbara Mills. She predeceased him, and he is survived by their two sons and a daughter.
Click to expand...

Log in or Sign up

General Sir Patrick Howard-Dobson RIP

Adrian Roberts Active Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

General Sir Patrick Howard-Dobson RIP

Thread Tools

Adrian Roberts Active Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches