ANZACs of Interest: Harry Cobby DSO DFC & 2 Bars GM

Question

Despite less than a year of active combat flying and minimal gunnery training, Arthur Henry 'Harry' Cobby was Australia's leading ace of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) in the First World War.  Whilst, technically, not an ANZAC (whilst part of the Australian Imperial Force, the AFC was not a formation attached to an ANZAC Corps), Cobby flew in support of ANZACs and certainly displayed the 'Anzac Spirit' throughout his life. He was a foundational officer of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and attained the rank of Air Commodore during the Second World War.  In the 1950s, he held senior appointments within the Department of Civil Aviation; when commercial aviation grew exponentially.  Cobby died on Remembrance Day 1955.

Answer 1

Totally unrelated to me, but so many points of contact - relatives who were in Heidelberg, in the Springvale Botanical Cemetery, who immigrated on the Omrah on its last civilian voyage before it became a troop ship. The name seemed vaguely familiar; maybe my husband has mentioned him from one of the war documetaries on TV sometime. Another great bio Ken. Lest we forget.

Answer 2

Thank you for a very interesting bio, Ken.

Answer 3

Again I may well have his citations. I’ll have to squint at photos!

Ann