Ancestor Details
Name of Ancestor: Robert Scobie VD
Ancestor's date of birth: 31/03/1871
Ancestor's date of death: 07/08/1915
Cause of Death: Killed in Action at Lone Pine
Service Number: Officer - no number
Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Maitland
Unit: B Squadron, 3 NSW Mounted Rifles
Rank attained in Boer War: LT, Date Effective: 1901
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): LTCOL, Date Effective: 19/07/1915
Murray Page: 127
Contingent: Fifth New South Wales
Ship: Maplemore, Date of Sailing: 15/03/1901
Memorial details: Lone Pine Memorial Gallipoli, Australian War Memorial Canberra
Decorations: Queens Medal with 5 clasps, Kings South Africa medal with two clasps, 1914 - 1915 Star, British War Medal, Volunteer Decoration (VD).
Personal Characteristics: Highly regarded soldier
Reasons to go and fight: Colonel Scobie was the son of a former member for Maitland Mr R Scobie. He was a native of Oakhampton. He received his education at Maitland Public School and later at Maitland Boy's High. On leaving school he joined his father and uncles in farming, orchard and vigneron work on the family property "The Gardens" at Oakhampton. He always showed a keen interest in matters military and joined the Forth Regiment of NSW Volunteer Infantry. He received a Commission as Second Lieutenant in 1900.
Details of service in war: This Regiment was attached to Colonel Remington's Column from 2nd May 1901 to 28th April 1902. They took part in operations in Eastern Transvaal and Eastern Orange River Colony.
Service and life after the Boer War: Following his return to Australia on 3 June 1902, he rose through the ranks of the militia to be promoted Captain in 1908. During his service in South Africa he was awarded the Queens Medal with five clasps. At the outbreak of World War 1 he was one of the first to volunteer his services and left Australia with the first expeditionary force as a Major and Second in Command of the Second Battalion AIF. After completing training in Egypt he took part in the landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915. He was wounded during the heavy fighting that took place during the day and was evacuated to Egypt for treatment. When he had recovered he returned to the Dardanelles where he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assumed command of the Second Battalion. This occurred on 19 July 1915. The Second Battalion was involved in the battle of Lone Pine which commenced at 5pm on August 6 1915. This battle continued with heavy hand to hand fighting for 36 hours. The Battalion was relieved from the line at about 9.30am on 8 August 1915. It was during this battle that Lt Col Scobie was killed. It happened at about 1pm on the 7 August 1915. He was 44 years old. A Memorial service was held for Lt Col Scobie VD in Maitland Town Hall on Sunday 29 August 1915. This service was well attended by the members of the local community.
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Sue Flannery, Clarence Town NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Grand Daughter
