GEORGE COBB

Born: 1879, Westerfield, Suffolk.

Died: 12th March 1915; age 34; KiA – Battle of Neuve Chapelle, France.

Employed: at Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Orwell Works, Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Date of Entry Therein: 8th November 1914.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 2054

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.

The body was exhumed in 1920, identified by a cross on the grave, and reburied.

Grave Reference:

4. E. 4.

Guards Cemetery,

Windy Corner,

Cuinchy,

Pas de Calais.

France.

CENSUS

1881   Westerfield, Suffolk.

George was a year old and living with his parents & siblings

Frederick Cobb, 40, a Police Constable, born Scole, Norfolk.

Christiana Cobb (nee Cooper), 41, born Billingford, Norfolk.

Frederick Cobb, 13, born Ipswich.

Thomas James Cobb, 11, born Ipswich.

Albert Cobb, 9, born Ipswich.

Christina Cobb, 7, born Westerfield, Suffolk.

Ernest Cobb, 4, born Westerfield.

1891   4, Suffolk Road, Ipswich.

George was 11 years old and living with his parents & siblings

Frederick, 47, a Police Constable.

Christiana, 48, a Tailoress – own account.

Albert, 19, a Shepherd on a Farm.

Christina, 17.

Ernest, 14, an Agricultural Labourer.

Charles Cobb, 6, born Westerfield.

Maude, 4, born Westerfield.

1901   61, Norfolk Road, Ipswich.

George was 22 and a Labourer – Iron Foundry. He was living with his parents & siblings.

Frederick, 58, a retired Police Constable.

Christiana, 60.

Ernest, 24, a Foundry Worker.

Maude, 14.

1911   61, Norfolk Road, Ipswich.

George was 31 and a Painter – Agricultural Works. He was living with his parents & brother.

Frederick, 68, a Police pensioner.

Christiana, 69.

Charles, 27, a Police Officer.

Soldiers’ Effects to Mrs. Maude Rayner – sister.

George is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich and the Orwell Works Memorial Ransomes Sims & Jefferies Ipswich.

The Battle of Neuve Chapelle 10th – 13th March 1915 was the first planned British offensive of the war. The objective was to take the German line at the Village of Neueve Chapelle and break out and head towards the City of Lille, with the main objective taking the Aubers Ridge beyond which was of strategic value. The Battle started well with a heavy bombardment of the German line (more shells fired on this occasion than the entire Boer War) with an advance which successfully took most of the first and second line trenches, but due to poor communications stalled once the village had been taken. The Germans then had time to set up more defensive lines outside of the village and hold the British advance. 40,000 British and Indian troops took part in the Battle with over 10,000+ Casualties.

Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion

The 4th Battalion the Suffolk Regiment entered the battle on the 11th of March taking up positions on the out skirts of the Neuve Chapelle facing the Bois Du Biez which later were ordered to occupy. The 4th Battalion lost many men through shelling on their positions followed by a counter attack on the 12th by the Germans. In total the Battalion sustained 217 casualties.

Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements

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