At just 19 years old, Glenn James Dobie left his home in Snowtown, in South Australia’s Mid North to serve in the final years of World War II. 

While serving in the Solomon Islands as a lead scout, Mr Dobie was shot with a bullet that ricocheted off his magazine and struck him in the arm. 

After the incident, doctors thought he may need his arm amputated, but decided against it. 

But at the age of 99, nearly 80 years since the end of the war, he still had not received his full complement of service medals. 

Mr Dobie moved to Naracoorte, in South Australia’s South East, after the war. (ABC South East SA: Sam Bradbrook)

That has now been rectified after Mr Dobie’s family and Australian Defence Force representatives presented him with his Australian Service Medals 1945-1975. 

His son Kelvin Dobie said seeing his father receive the medals was a “privilege and an honour”. 

“Like all veterans, I gather, they don’t talk, and it was only after my mum died and I had Dad with me when I was doing work that other people starting asking questions and Dad started telling stories,” he said. 

“Prior to that we knew nothing. 

“We all love Dad dearly, we had a tough life and a blessed life.

“It’s a miracle he’s still alive and it’s a miracle we’re here now, so we’re grateful.” 

Research leads to medal discovery  

The work to get Mr Dobie his missing medals was started by Limestone Coast veterans’ advocate Laurie Mann. 

He met Mr Dobie when travelling to Naracoorte, where he was initially told there were no veterans living in the area. 

Laurie Mann travels around the region helping connect veterans to support services. (ABC South East SA: Sam Bradbrook)

“We got to know him, we had a notebook and we wrote down stories … we’ve developed a bit of a friendship with his family and Glenn himself,” Mr Mann said. 

“I was looking for my dad’s medals because he was missing some too. 

“I went out to the Honours and Awards [department] and asked about Glenn and his story.

“They did the research and found that yes, he was missing some.” 

Mr Mann said it meant a lot to veterans to receive the recognition they deserved. 

Mr Dobie showing his war medals to one of his sons. (ABC South East SA: Sam Bradbrook)

“Glenn, he’s such a funny character and when we told him he was getting his support and we bought him a new slouch hat, it just lifted him up and that was amazing to watch,” he said. 

“Then we said, ‘You’re getting awarded this medal you should’ve had years ago’.

“He was so fluffed and you could see it in his cheeks and his demeanour.” 

Veterans deserve recognition 

Mr Dobie’s family has a long history with the Australian Defence Force, with his brother-in-law Frank Pierce and his brother Donald Dobie both serving in World War II. 

His uncle Rod Dobie was also a light horseman in World War I. 

Tim Orders travelled from the Keswick Barracks in Adelaide to present Mr Dobie with the medals. (ABC South East SA: Sam Bradbrook)

Brigadier Tim Orders, Commander of the 9th Brigade, presented Mr Dobie with his medals and said it was unusual for veterans to not have received all the service medals they were entitled to. 

“Glenn’s been recognised for his service in other ways and other recognitions,” he said

“But it’s just great work from the local advocate here [Mr Mann] that recognised there’s a gap and for the work he did back to Honours and Awards to get that recognised.”

Tim Orders says all veterans deserve the recognition they are entitled to. (ABC South East SA: Sam Bradbrook)

The Department for Veterans Affairs estimated about 2,500 Australian World War II veterans are still alive. 

Brigadier Orders said all veterans, regardless of when and where they served, deserved their appropriate recognition.

“If there is a way in which you should be able to be recognised, then you should absolutely seek that out, and wear that recognition, whether it’s medallic or otherwise, with pride,” he said.