| Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Occupation | Bank clerk |
| Address | Rosedale Avenue, Glenhuntly, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 22 |
| Next of kin | Father, Arthur E S Cobby, Rosedale Avenue, Glenhuntly, Victoria |
| Previous military service | 47th Infantry |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Rank on enlistment | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Unit name | Australian Flying Corps, No 4 Squadron, A Flight |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 8/7/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Omrah on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Captain |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | Australian Flying Corps |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Distinguished Flying Cross (altered from Military Cross) Recommendation date: Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross Recommendation date: Second Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross Recommendation date: Distinguished Service Order Recommendation date: Mention in Despatches Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31089 (31 December 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 (23 May 1919). |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Distinguished Service Order 'On 16th August this officer led an organized raid on an enemy aerodrome. At 200 feet altitude he obtained direct hits with his bombs and set on fire two hangars; he then opened fire on a machine which was standing out on the aerodrome. The machine caught fire. Afterwards he attacked with machine gun fire parties of troops and mechanics, inflicting a number of casualties. On the following day he led another important raid on an aerodrome, setting fire to two hangars and effectively bombing gun detachments, anti-aircraft batteries, etc. The success of these two raids was largely due to the determined and skilful leadership of this officer.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31 Date: DFC Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185 Date: DFC and Bar 'An Officer whose success as a leader is due not only to high courage and brillant flying, but also to the clear judgment and presence of mind he invariably displays. His example is of great value to other pilots in his squadron. During recent operations he shot down five machines in eleven days, accounting for two in one day.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23 Date: DFC and Second Bar 'One evening this Officer, in company with another machine, attacked five Pfaltz scouts, destroying two; one fell in flames, and one broke up in the air. The officer who accompanied him brought down a third machine out of control. While engaged in this combat they were attacked from above by five triplanes. Displaying cool judgment and brilliant flying, Captain Cobby evaded this attack, and returned to our lines in safety, both machines being undamaged. A determined and most skilful leader, who has destroyed twenty-one hostile machines or balloons, accounting for three machines and two balloons in four days.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23 Date: |
| Other details | Medals: Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross and 2 Bars, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
