George Goodwill M Cobbe.
Baptism: 26 Feb 1899 St Michael and All Angels, Swinley, Wigan, Lancashire, England
George Goodwin Mark Cobbe - [Child] of Thomas Cobbe & Nellie
Born: 19 Jan, Abode: Holme St., Occupation: Draper. Original Register at Wigan Archives
Attestment Papers for George Cobbe, Australian Commonwealth Military Forces
George COBBE
Regimental number 5345
Place of birth Wigan, England
School Nangunan State School, Western Australia
Age on arrival in Australia 7
Religion Church of England
Occupation Farmer
Address Nangeenan, Western Australia
Marital status Single
Age at embarkation 18
Next of kin Father, T Cobbe, Nangeenan, Western Australia
Previous military service Nil
Enlistment date 22 February 1916
Rank on enlistment Private
Unit name 16th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/33/3
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Freemantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 17 April 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll Private
Unit from Nominal Roll 16th Battalion
Fate Killed in Action 16 August 1918
Place of death or wounding Piccardy or Corbie or Villers-Bretonneux, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
Australian War Memorial 79
Other details
War service: Western Front
Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Family Notice The Western Australian (Perth W A) Thursday 12th September 1918
COBBE. A tribute to our old schoolmate George Cobbe killed in action 16 August 1918 His duty done. Inserted by Percy, Roy and Arthur Crocker.
The Western Australian Tuesday 15 October 1918
COBBE. Killed in action on 16th August 1918 Somewhere in France. George only son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Cobbe of Isangeenan: aged 19 years. A young life nobly ended.
The Western Australian Tuesday 16 August 1921
In Memoriam
In sad and loving memory of Private George Cobbe, 16 Battalion, killed in action August 16 1918. Also father died July 4 1919. Ever remembered by his mother, sisters, Eva Lily Hilda and Uncle Sapper Kearney Meridia?
The Western Australian Wednesday 16 August 1944
In Memoriam.
BULL-COBBE-WARREN In tribute to my mates Sgt Billy Bull and Ptes George Cobbe and Campbell Warren (1st AIP) killed in action at Guillaucourt France 16 August 1918. Inserted by S/Set Jim Cutmore (PWCC W6. Wagin)
The Western Australian Saturday 16 August 1919
COBBE - In loving memory of Pt George Cobbe 16 Battalion killed in action at Guillaucourt 16 August 1918. Inserted by Douglas R Elliot
The West Australian Monday 16 August 1920
BULL -A tribute to the memory of Sergeant Wm Bull and private George Cobbe killed in action at Guillaucourt on August 16 1918.
Inserted by W. N. Moss. Warton Street, Cottesloe Beach
5345 Private George Cobbe. Of the 16th Battalion
Notes taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau files, 1914-18 War 1DRL/0428
Corpoal Mose (informatnt doubtful about spelling) 16th Battn., Orderly Room Corporal,, whom I met at Horseferry Road a fortnight ago, told me that this lad was killed in a Cellar by a 5.9 Shell. He was very young, under 19, and was runner for Headquarters Orderly Room. He was not put into the firing line as they were taking care of him, and it was hard lines he met his death like this. He had been through Posiers.
Informant. 3139 A.L. Matthews, Southall
T..S.J.PP London 1/11/18
He was 5`4” dark and about 18 years – a mere lad – a runner in Headquarters 16th Batn. He was killed by a shell, while in a cellar at Guilancourt which was about 5 miles behind the lines. He was killed instantly. He was buried at Wyencourt in a Military Cemetery beside Sgt, W.G. Bull 2628a 16th Batn, and J.C.D. Warren 7837 16th Batn, who were killed by the same shell.
Informant. J.C. Cranstoun 6980 16th Batn. B. Coy, 5th Platoon. A.I.F.
W.W.K. London 16.11.18. M.I.S.
Note. C.A.Needham 7521 16th Batn, B.Coy 5th Platoon, gives a similar report on this case.
14th Novr 1918 K 16th August 1918, Det D/B.
He was attached to H.Q. He was a young fellow, about 18, small and dark. I was there when he and two others were killed by a shell in Daavres Station, about 5 kilometres from Villers
. They were in the signal box when a shell hit it, and the whole thing collapsed. They were all buried, and when extricated Cobbe was found to be dead. I don`t know where he was buried.
Informant Pte M. Bercovitch 5337 A.I.F. 16 D. Havres Hospital.
He was a fine lad – a runner in Headquarters. He was killed at Guilancout on August 16th 1918 by a shell. Sgt W.G. Bull 2626s and Pte. J.C.D. Warran 7837 of the same Battalion were killed at the time.
They were together in a cellar situated five miles behind the line when the shell came through. They were killed instantly and buried together in the Communal Cemetery at Wyencourt. The graves registered and crosses erected.
Informant. Padre H.H. Harper C of E Chaplain. 4th Brigade A.I.F.
W.M.K. London 16.11. 18. M.I.S.