On Plymouth Naval Memorial is the name of M/15287 Assistant Victualler Leslie Dobeson, serving on H.M.S. Anchusa with the Royal Navy who died 16/07/1918.

Colin Boyd has provided the following:

Leslie was born on 6th May 1896 in Whitley Bay to John T. Dobeson, a joiner/carpenter and his wife Clara and in 1901 the family were living at 12, Duke Street, Whitley Bay. By 1911 Leslie, his parents, older sister Clara and a boarder were living at 12, Mason Avenue, Whitley Bay and he was employed as an errand boy.

Leslie enlisted in the Royal Navy as a hostilities only rating on 6th September 1915 when he was described as being 5 feet 7½ inches tall with brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion and his occupation was given as a clerk.

Leslie was killed in action on 16th July 1918 when HMS Anchusa was sunk by U-54 off the coast of Ireland with the loss of 79 lives. When his death was confirmed Leslie’s parents were living at 24, Rothbury Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Leslie Dobeson is remembered at Whitley Bay on W84.01, W84.10 and W84.30 page 19 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.