Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Dolman, a bricklayer, born 1856 in Salisbury, Wiltshire and his wife Louisa Jane Dolman (nee Jones, married on the 24th December 1876 in St. Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury, Shropshire), born 1859 in Church Stretton, Shropshire. Albert Victor was born on the 8th June 1887 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire and was baptised on the 26th June 1887 in St. Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury, his siblings were, Charlotte Eliza Hester a schoolgirl, born on the 30th August 1877 and baptised on the 16th September 1877 in St. Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury, Richard William, a schoolboy, born on the 9th January 1879 and baptised on the 2nd February 1879 in St. Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury, Edith Annie, a schoolgirl, born on the 6th July 1881 and baptised on the 17th July 1881 in St. George’s Church, Shrewsbury, James Heatherbell, a schoolboy, born in the 4th quarter of 1883, Herbert Frank, born in the 2nd quarter of 1885 and baptised on the 4th June 1885 in St. Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury, a schoolboy, born 1885 and Daisy Louisa, born on the 4th March 1889 and baptised on the 24th March 1889 in St. Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury, all his siblings were born in Shrewsbury, in April 1891 the family home was at 4, St. Alkmunds Square, Shrewsbury. In March 1901 Albert was employed as a milliner’s errand boy and was residing in the family home at 5, Alkmunds Place, Shrewsbury, together with his mother and siblings, Herbert, a GPO Surveyors Office messenger boy, Daisy, Norman Frederick, born in the 3rd quarter of 1892 and baptised on the 28th August 1892 in St. Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury, Dorothy, born 1895, Lilian Rose, born on the 20th August 1896 and baptised on the 13th September 1896 in St. Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury, George Hubert, born on the 2nd June 1898 and baptised on the 7th August 1898 in St. Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury and Gertrude Jane, born on the 7th July 1900 and baptised on the 26th August 1900 in St. Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury, the latter five siblings were all born in Shrewsbury. In April 1911 Albert was absent from the family home at 5, St. Alkmunds Square, Shrewsbury, residing there was his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, James, a bricklayer, Norman, a railway porter, George, a schoolboy, Lilian and Gertrude, a schoolgirl, meanwhile, Albert was employed as a Great Western Railway Company porter and was residing at 15, Meadow Terrace, St. Michael’s, Shrewsbury together with his wife Mary Elizabeth Dolman (nee Hall, married on the 28th February 1909 in St. Alkmunds Church, Shrewsbury), born on the 21st June 1890 in Ludlow, Shropshire and their son Albert Thomas James (Bertie), born on the 19th January 1910 in Shrewsbury. Albert and Mary had another son, Norman Victor, born on the 24th June 1913 in Ibstock. The family later moved to reside at 1, South Road, Ibstock, Leicestershire and then to 71, Gladstone Street, Ibstock. Albert’s younger brother Norman fell in action at Givenchy on the 4th March 1915 while serving as a Private with the 1/5th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment (Territorial Force).
Albert enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 13th February 1904 in Shrewsbury, and was allotted the service number 8181. He gave his place of birth as St. Alkmunds, Shrewsbury, Salop and age as 18 years. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as none.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with the 3rd Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry – Militia.
His medical examination took place in Shrewsbury on the 13th February 1904 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years, that he was 5 feet 4½ inches in height, weighed 112 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 31½ and 33½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was brown, his physical development was described as good. The following distinctive marks were noted, mole on left foot. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, James, 5, St. Alkmunds Square, Shrewsbury.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. 15/2/04.
Attested. Pte. 13/2/04.
Offence. Absent off furlough from 12 midnight till 11.30 am 5th inst. (11 hours 30 mins.). Awarded Admonishment. 7/3/04.
Passed. Army Certificate of Education 3rd Class. 22/3/04.
Offence. Absent off furlough from 12 midnight until 8.20 am the 6th April. (32 hours 20 mins.). Awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks. 6/4/04.
Offence. [I] Absent off pass from 12 midnight till apprehended by the civil police at Shrewsbury on 1st May. (1 day) [II] Losing by neglect his clothing equipment and Regimental necessaries. Awarded 96 hours Imprisonment with Hard Labour. Pay for deficiencies. 3/5/04.
Posted. 1st Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Pte. 21/5/04.
Offence. Not complying with an order. Awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks. 17/6/04.
Offence. Losing by neglect his arms, equipment and clothing. Awarded 7 day Confined to barracks. Pay deficiencies and expenses. 12/9/04.
Offence. Late parading for fatigue at 7.00 am. (7 mins.). Awarded 2 days Confined to Barracks. 3/12/04.
Offence. [I] Improper conduct at morning stables. [II] Making an improper reply to an N.C.O. Awarded. 96 hours Imprisonment with hard labour. 23/2/05.
Passed. Class of instruction for Mounted Infantry. 2/10/05.
Passed. Class of instruction for Mounted Infantry. 3/7/05.
Offence. [I] Hesitating to obey an order. [II] Using obscene language to an N.C.O. Awarded 48 hours Detention. 24/5/06.
Transferred. To Army Reserve Section “B.” Pte. 12/2/07.
Mobilized. At Wrexham. 5/8/14.
Posted. 2nd Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Pte. 6/8/14.
Embarked. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 10/8/14.
Discharged. From 12th General Hospital, Rouen to Convalescent Camp, Rouen. Bronchitis. 3/5/15.
Classed Per Base. Transferred to B & C Depot, Rouen. 2/7/15.
Admitted. To 12th General Hospital, Rouen. Tonsillitis. 2/7/15.
Discharged. To Convalescent Camp, Rouen. 5/7/15.
Transferred. To 4th Infantry Brigade Depot, Rouen. 31/7/15.
Transferred. To No.4 General Base Depot, Rouen. For duties as Policeman. 5/8/15.
Transferred. To B & C Depot, Rouen. Classification Per Base. 9/8/15.
Transferred. To 4th Infantry Brigade Depot, Rouen, 17/8/15.
Joined. No.9 Entrenching Battalion, Rouen. 4/9/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. Place not stated. Pte. 25/9/15.
Total Service. 11 years 225 days
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Albert’s surviving service record amounts to a total of eighteen pages, of which only ten pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.
Albert’s widow was awarded a weekly Army Pension for herself and her two children of eighteen shillings and six pence, to commence on the 10th April 1916.
The War Diary records: 25 Sept-15 – CAMBRIN. At 5.50 am moved up in support of 1st MIDDLESEX REGIMENT. At 6.40 am MIDDLESEX REGIMENT attacked enemy trenches and suffered severely. Two platoons of “B” and “C” Companies advanced to reinforce them and suffered heavy casualties – owing to this the advance was not proceeded with – 2nd Battalion ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS took over 1st and 2nd Line trenches from 1st MIDDLESEX REGIMENT. Casualties:- Killed, Captain A. G. SAMSON, Captain J. A. CHILDE-FREEMAN and 34 N.C.O.’s and men. Wounded, Lieutenant Colonel O. De L. WILLIAMS, D.S.O., Captain G. B. WELBON, Lieutenant H. W. BLAIR, 2nd Lieutenant H. E. G. GOLDSMITH and 71 N.C.O.’s and men. Suffering from gas poisoning, 2nd Lieutenant P. H. DRAKE-BROCKMAN, 3rd Battalion EAST SURREY REGIMENT (attached) and 4 N.C.O.’s and men. Missing, 4 men.
On Friday, October 8th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – On Thursday Mrs. Dolman, of South-road, Ibstock, received official intimation that her husband had been killed in action on September 25th. Private DOLMAN was a reservist of the Welsh Fusiliers, and was called up for active service at the commencement of the war. He had been ill, and left the hospital for the fighting line quite recently.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 8th, 1915

Ibstock Soldier Killed

We regret to announce that news was received yesterday morning that Pte. Dolman, whose home was in South Street, Ibstock, had been killed in action. He was called up as a reservist of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at the outbreak of the war and had never been home since. He was an employee of the Nailstone Collieries and leaves a widow and two children for whom much sympathy is felt.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 5th, 1915

A memorial service was held at Ibstock Parish Church on Sunday last in connection with Pte. Cyril Briers of the Coldstream Guards and Pte. Victor Dolman, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers who were killed in action. The bugle band of the Church Lads’ Brigade attended and played the “Last Post.” The Rev. S. Flood conducted the service.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 10/09/2017