Real Lives 2015 - 4 of 7 Ian served with the Royal Engineers for 35 years in Germany, Northern Ireland and the Gulf as well as being an instructor at Sandhurst. His grandfather, Lt. Gen. Sir William Dobbie was Governer of Malta during the siege from 1940-42 when the island was awarded the George Cross. Ian was awarded the OBE in 2011 for services to the Armed Forces.