COBBOLD, Arthur


No.1872, Company Quarter Master Sergeant, Arthur COBBOLD
Aged 27


4th Battalion, Rifle Brigade
Accidentally drowned on 19th August 1916


Arthur Cobbold was born on 3rd March 1889 in Bradfield St.George (2nd qtr 1889 Thingoe 4a:717) son of William and Sarah Elizabeth COBBOLD (née GILL)

1891 census...Aged 2, he was at Freewood Street, Bradfield St George with his father William COBBOLD [43] farm labourer; his mother Sarah E [46] born Rougham; brothers William [15](groom), Alfred [12] farm labourer and Frederick [10]; sisters Annie [7] and Lillie [5]. All except his mother were born in Bradfield St George

1901 census...Aged 12, he was at High Style, Hawstead, visiting the COCKSEDGE family. His parents were still at Free Wood (father now a road foreman) with his sister Elizabeth [27] now Mrs HUMPHREYS and her children, Doretha [7] and Frederick both born SW London.

1911 census...Aged 22, he was an Acting Corporal in the 4th Battalion, Rifle Brigade in Egypt. His parents were still at Free Wood Street with his nephews Frederick Cyril [13] born London and Charles William HUMPHRIES [10] born Bradfield St George

His eldest brother Charles died from fever in the the Boer War in 1900 see here
brother Frederick was killed in Belgium in April 1915. see here
and brother William was killed, also in Belgium, in May 1915. see here


He attested in Bury St.Edmunds on 10th January 1907, joining the Rifle brigade at Winchester o the 14th. He gave his age as 18 years 10 months, a footman born in Bradfield St George. 5 feet 5.25 inches tall, weighing 125 lbs, chest 33.5 to 35.5 inches, with grey eyes brown hair, he was Church of England. Posted to 1st battalion on 11th May 1907 and the 4th Battalion on 19th February 1908. Promoted Lance Corporal 19th March 1909 and Corporal on 21 Feb.1912. He was made Acting Sergeant on 5th Feb.1913 and Sergeant on 5th February 1914. He extended his service to complete 12 years on 28th April 1914. Served at home to 18th Feb 1908, the in Malta until 21st jan 1909, before going to Egypt until 4th February 1913 and to India on 18th ? 1914. He went to France on 13th May 1915. Embarked at marseilles on 17th November 1915, arriving Salonica 25th November. Promoted CQMS 22nd March 1916

By 1919 the Army form5080 had as living relatives his parents, still at Free Wood Street, brother Alfred [42] CQMS in 52 Rifle Brigade in Germany ; sisters Emma Winter [52],Elizabeth Humphries [45], Annie Norman [34] and Lillie Cobbold [32]

He was accidentally drowned at Cazagzi, near Stavros in Greece




photo CWGC

Arthur Cobbold is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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