The AIF Project

Arthur Henry COBBY

Place of birthMelbourne, Victoria
OccupationBank clerk
AddressRosedale Avenue, Glenhuntly, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Next of kinFather, Arthur E S Cobby, Rosedale Avenue, Glenhuntly, Victoria
Previous military service47th Infantry
Enlistment date23 December 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll10 January 1916
Rank on enlistment2nd Lieutenant
Unit nameAustralian Flying Corps, No 4 Squadron, A Flight
AWM Embarkation Roll number8/7/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Omrah on 17 January 1917
Rank from Nominal RollCaptain
Unit from Nominal RollAustralian Flying Corps
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Flying Cross (altered from Military Cross)


Recommendation date: 3 June 1918

Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross


Recommendation date: 30 June 1918

Second Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross


Recommendation date: 16 July 1918

Distinguished Service Order


Recommendation date: 20 August 1918

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31089 (31 December 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 (23 May 1919).

FateReturned to Australia 15 May 1919
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: 4 March 1919

DFC


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185
Date: 27 November 1918

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: 12 February 1919

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: 12 February 1919

Other detailsMedals: Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross and 2 Bars, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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