The story of how the first recommendation for the Victoria Cross was
won in the present war is told in two letters. The first is from the
hero himself, an English soldier named Dobson, to his wife in North
Shields. He says very modestly:
"You will know by the time you receive this letter that I have
been recommended for the Victoria Cross, an honor I never thought
would come my way. I only took my chance and did my duty to save my
comrades. It was really nothing."
The second letter is by Lady Mildred Follet, whose husband commands
the company to which Dobson belongs, and is addressed to Mrs.
Dobson. It reads:
"You will be glad to know that your husband is very well and has
behaved with very great gallantry. Capt. Follet says: 'A thick fog
came down, so I sent three men out 100 yards to our front to give
warning of an attack by the enemy. After they had been there an hour
the fog suddenly lifted and they were fired on at close range. One
man was killed, one badly wounded and one crawled back. I didn't
know how to get the wounded man back, so I called for a volunteer,
and Reservist Dobson at once responded and went out to fetch him. He
was heavily fired at but not hit.'"
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