during the first world war, dobbs served in the east africa campaign as assistant quartermaster-general, for which he was mentioned in despatches three times, promoted temporary lieutenant-colonel in november 1915 and brevet lieutenant-colonel in january 1916, and awarded the distinguished service order (dso) in february 1917 and the russian order of st anna 3rd class. promoted substantive lieutenant-colonel in 1917, he took command of his regiment until 1921, commanding it with the bushire field force in persia in 1918–1919, for which he was again mentioned in despatches and appointed companion of the order of the indian empire (cie) in january 1920, in the third anglo-afghan war in 1919, for which he was mentioned for the fifth time and appointed commander of the order of the british empire (cbe) in august 1920, and in mesopotamia in 1920. in october 1919 he was given the temporary rank of brigadier-general. he retired with the rank of colonel in october 1921.