ROBERT JAMES COBBOLD
Born: 1887, Ipswich.
Died: 17th February 1917; age 30; KiA.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 50205
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 8th Battalion.
Formerly 34945, Suffolk Regiment.
Medals Awarded: Victory & British War.
Body was exhumed and identified by a cross on grave, and reburied by a Canadian Burial Party.
Grave Reference:
VI.G.13.
Grandcourt,
Somme,
France.
CENSUS
1891 5, Cardinal Street, Ipswich.
Robert was 4 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Walter Cobbold, 34, a Cab Driver – Groom, born Thurston, Suffolk.
Anna Maria Cobbold (nee Rush), 38, born Ipswich.
Florence Emma Cobbold, 9, born Tostock, Suffolk.
William Cobbold, 6, born Tostock.
Christopher Cobbold, 2, born Ipswich.
1901 5, Cardinal Street, Ipswich.
Robert was 14 years old, an Errand Boy – Chemist. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Walter, 45, a Cab Driver – Groom.
Annie, 48.
Florence, 19, a Tailoress – Vest Hand.
Christopher, 12, at school/part time Errand Boy.
Wilfred Harold Cobbold, 2, born Ipswich.
1911 3, Metz Street, Ipswich.
Robert was 23 years old, a Bottler – Mineral Water Works. He was married and Head of the Household.
Fanny, 20.
Walter, 2.
Christopher, 1.
Robert’s father, Walter Cobbold, died 1908, Ipswich. His mother, Anna Maria Cobbold, died 1916, Ipswich.
In 1908, Ipswich, Robert married, Fanny May Durrant, born May 1889, Ipswich.
They had 3 children:
Walter Robert Cobbold, born August 1908, Ipswich.
Christopher Cobbold, born March 1910, Ipswich.
Ethel May Cobbold, born August 1911, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Fanny May Cobbold – widow.
Robert is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Nicholas Church, Ipswich.
17th February the 8th Battalion: extracts from Suffolk Regiment records:
“On the 17th the advance towards Miraumont began,8th battalion 05:45 am under very trying weather conditions, severe frost which lasted for a month suddenly breaking on the eve of the battle and rapid thaw converting the ground into a morass of the worst description. very few duckboard tracks existed there at the time, and the nearest hut being over two miles from the front line, the carrying parties had a most difficult task. The process of forming up for attack had to be carried out at night in a thick mist and under a hostile barrage as well-zero hour having become known to the enemy. The battalion gained its objectives quickly in spite of stubborn fighting in the front of the uncut wire, and the leading waves succeeded in establishing themselves within a few hundred yards of Petit Miraumont. The work of consolidation was rendered less difficult by the mist, which prevented enemy observation and permitted freer movement across the open than normally possible.
In the action, which reflected the greatest credit on all ranks of the 8th Battalion, one incident stands out conspicuously. Seeing his company held up by the wire, L/Cpl. W. Savage with seven men having discovered a small gap therein, rushed fearlessly through into the enemy’s trench, killing with his own hands the first four Germans he met and effecting the surrender of the rest of the party, which consisted of fourteen men with a machine gun L/Cpl. Savage received the DCM. The casualties in the Battalion amounted to 130 men. This victory marked the beginning of the retreat to the Hindenburg line.”
Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927 by Lt-Col. C.C.R.Murphy
Suffolk Regiment, 8th Battalion:
Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
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