From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

CHRIS.

Born: 1921, Ipswich.

Died: 6th January 1941; age: 19; killed by an enemy bombing raid whilst in training at Swaffham, Norfolk.

Christian was with a party of soldiers at Swaffham railway station, unloading stores from railway trucks. At 9.45 am on that morning, a German Dornier bomber dived out of the clouds to about 150 feet to drop bombs on and around Swaffham railway station. One bomb fell in the goods yard. Christian was one of the five soldiers killed. He was buried at Swaffham Cemetery, Norfolk, alongside Private James Furness, who was injured during the bombing raid and died the next day. www.cwgc.org/stories/stories/private-christian-alston-cobbold-5773487-6th-battalion-norfolk-regiment-territorial-army/

Residence: 17, Campbell Road, Ipswich.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 5773487.

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment, 6th Battalion – Coastal Defence.

Grave Reference:

E.A.1.

Swaffham Cemetery,

Norfolk.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Mr & Mrs C. Cobbold, of Ipswich.

Father: Niles Christian Olston Cobbold, born June 1899, Ipswich. A General Labourer.

Mother: Vera Lily Violet Cobbold (nee Stiff), born July 1902, Drinkstone, Suffolk.

Siblings:

William Alfred Cobbold, born 1924, Ipswich.

Catherine Margaret Cobbold, born 1925, Ipswich.

Betty Cobbold, born 1927, Ipswich.

Vera Cobbold, born 1928, Ipswich.

Winifred Mary Cobbold, born 1930, Ipswich.

Doris M. Cobold, born 1933, Ipswich.

Niles E. Cobbold, born 1935, Ipswich.

Joan M. Cobbold, born 1938, Ipswich.

Christian and his siblings attended Priory Heath Infants School, followed by Nacton Road Junior School, before moving on to Nacton Heath High School.

Lynn Advertiser – Friday, 17th January 1941 – PTE. C. A. COBBOLD (SWAFFHAM) – The funeral took place at Swaffham Cemetery for Pte. Christian Alston Cobbold, Norfolk Regt. Vicar (Rev. P.N.H. Palmer) officiating the service. Pte. Cobbold’s mother and brother were the chief mourners. A volley was fired over the grave. Among those who sent wreaths were the Officers, NCOs and men of his company, and YMCA canteen helpers.

Bury Free Press – Saturday, 25^th January 1941 – WOOLPIT ASSOCIATIONS of NORFOLK REGIMENT SOLDIER – Sympathy is expressed to Mr. and Mrs. George Stiff, of White Elm Cottage, Woolpit, who have suffered their second bereavement through the war. Having already lost their eldest son a Dunkirk, they have now received news that their grandson, Private Christian Cobbold, of the Royal Norfolk Regiment, has been killed as a result of enemy action. He was 19 years of age. His mother, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stiff, resides at Ipswich.

The Captain of his regiment writes that he was held in high esteem by his comrades, and his bright and cheerful disposition had won him many friends.

Extra family help courtesy of Paul Wray.