Collet Barker Dobson (1861 - 1936)

Born 18 Nov 1861 in Sumner,New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Ida Lilian (Thornton) Aimers — married 8 Feb 1886 (to 1904) in St.Luke's Church, Christchurch, New Zealand

Husband of Harriet Agnes (Meddings) Dobson — married about 1905 in Australia

Descendants

Died 8 Jul 1936 at age 74 in Majestic Theatre, Adelaide, South Australia

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Biography

Collet was born in 1861. He was the son of Edward Dobson and Mary Lough. He passed away in 1936. ^[1]

Collet married Ida Thornton in 1886 and the couple had three children, all dying in infancy. Collet and Ida were both actors, producing a number of shows as "The Collet-Dobson Dramatic and Comedy Company", 1890 - 1899.

Collet travelled to Australia around 1898/99 in search of work, Ida remaining in New Zealand. Collet never returned to New Zealand and the couple were divorced in 1904.^[2]

By the time of the divorce proceedings, Collet was living with Harriet Meddings in Sydney, Australia and a daughter Agnes had been born to the couple. Collet and Harriet were married about 1905.

Collet died in the Majestic Theatre in Adelaide where he had been a producer (and later, assistant manager), for over 20 years.

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954)

Thursday 9 July 1936

Majestic Theatre Official Dies In Office

Mr. Collet Barker Dobson, prominent in Australian and New Zealand theatrical circles, died suddenly in his office at the Majestic Theatre, Adelaide, yesterday. He was found in a state of collapse. The manager (Mr. Bert Lennon) immediately called in Dr. L. J. Pellew who found that Mr. Dobson was dead. The late Mr. Dobson, who was 75, had been associated with the Fuller organisation for 26 years, first as a producer of dramas, and latterly as an assistant to Mr. Lennon. A member of a distinguished New Zealand pioneering family, he was the youngest son of Mr. Edward Dobson, civil engineer and surveyor, of Christchurch. He entered his father's office, but surveying did not appeal to him, and he ran away and went on the stage. He became an accomplished actor. In later years he produced dramas in New Zealand and Australia. He came to Adelaide 20 years ago. His wife was Miss Meddings, daughter of the Inspector-General of Telegraphs in New Zealand. A daughter, Miss Agnes Dobson, of St. Peters, survives. Miss Dobson has also been associated with the stage since childhood. The late Sir Arthur Dobson, of Christchurch, New Zealand, was a brother of Mr. C. B. Dobson, and a sister married Sir Julius von Haast, formerly Professor of Geology at Canterbury University. In 1886, Mr. Dobson was private secretary to Sir Julius von Haast when he went to England as Commissioner for New Zealand at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. He was a grand nephew of Captain Collet Barker, after whom Mount Barker was named. "He was a wonderful friend and colleague, and I shall miss him very much; he came in quite cheerfully as usual at noon today," said Mr. Lennon last night. "I was often surprised at his wide knowledge of affairs other than the stage, and his wish that he might die in the theatre was dramatically fulfilled." It is stated that Mr. Dobson's death was probably due to heart failure. Plainclothes Constable E. J. Davis submitted a report to the City Coroner (Mr. Blackburn), who deemed an inquest unnecessary.

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