He enlisted as a reservist in the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry at the age of 16 in 1913 and was called up for active service in the First World War on the day before his 17th birthday.
He subsequently volunteered for the newly-formed Royal Air Force and commenced pilot training, but was transferred back to the Glosters in February 1919 and was demobilised in October.
[1]: 178 [3] The firm then known in 1969 as BDR Machines (or with affection in Bristol as Dolman's) was sold to the Vokes Group and in turn was taken over by Thomas Tilling in 1972.
A year later in spite of protests by the employees and trade unions, the decision was taken by Tilling Group, to abandon the business altogether.
After a failed attempt to attract Huddersfield Town and Northern Ireland forward Peter Doherty to be player-manager, Bob Wright was appointed.
He also set about improving Ashton Gate where the pitch was relaid and safety works done to the covered end and other terraces.
Competitive football under the lights was not yet permitted but it did enable lucrative friendlies and City were able to attract top-class opposition including London giants Arsenal and Spurs, as well as Scottish and continental European sides.[1]: 80–82 .
In 1951, Dolman secured the services of highly-rated teenager John Atyeo from under the noses of league champions Portsmouth by allowing him to sign as a semi-professional while qualifying as a quantity surveyor, promising that he would remain the club's best-paid player and, on a handshake deal with Atyeo's father, that he wouldn't be transferred against his will.
[1]: 134–137, 180–187 After his brief service in the RAF, Dolman retained an interest in aviation and in 1935 built a Mignet "Flying Flea" aircraft in his garage.
Dolman made a few short flights from Bristol (Whitchurch) Airport and Hullavington in Wiltshire in 1936 but the plane proved difficult to control and he "broke a propeller every time".
Marina Dolman subsequently became president of Bristol City and in the 2017 Birthday Honours was made an MBE for her services to football, whereas Harry's OBE had been for his business career.