Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of six awarded to Major J. H. W. Cobb, Canadian Infantry

Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse inscribed, ‘Capt. J. H. W. Cobb, 21st Bn.’; 1914-15 Star (59173 Pte., 21/Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, no clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, unnamed, mounted for display; Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. (Major J. H. W. Cobb); Birks Memorial Bar (Maj. J. H. W. Cobb, M.C., V.G. of C., Died in his Country’s Service 3 Apr. 1943’, nearly extremely fine (8) £1000-1200

M.C. London Gazette 13 May 1918; amended Canada Gazette 31 August 1918. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. The enemy after an intense bombardment succeeded in gaining a foothold in a portion of the front line. When the company officers had become casualties he assisted in organizing a counter-attack which drove the enemy out with heavy losses. His coolness and disregard of danger were a splendid example to all ranks, and contributed largely to the success of the counter-attack.’

John Henry (Harry) Walter Cobb was born in Woolwich, Middlesex on 4 April 1896. Living in Peterborough, Ontario, and a Chauffeur by occupation, he attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Kingston, Ontario, on 4 November 1914. With the 21st Battalion he entered France on 14 September 1915. Having been promoted to Corporal, he was wounded on 15 April 1917. In June 1917 he was posted to England and was appointed a Temporary Lieutenant in the 6th Reserve Battalion on 2 September 1917. Returning to France and serving with the Light Machine Mortars of the 21st Canadian Infantry, he won the Military Cross. The decoration was presented to him by the King at Buckingham Pallace on 26 June 1918. Captain Cobb was demobilised on 2 December 1919.

In the Second World War, Cobb enlisted as a Private but was immediately commissioned in to the Veteran’s Guards of Canada. He served at various prisoner-of-war camps. As a Major he died in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on 3 April 1943. With a quantity of copied service papers.