Neil Wansborough Cobby (1921 - 1985)

Born 27 Jun 1921 in Glenhuntly, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Jill Beverly (Fackrell) Cobby — married 1946 in Victoria, Australia

Husband of Elinore Jean (Clark-Kennedy) Noutsatos — married 1952 (to about 1968) in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Died 20 Mar 1985 at age 63 in South Caulfield, Victoria, Australia

Biography

Neil Wansborough Cobby was born on 27th June 1921 in Glenhuntly, Victoria, Australia. He was the older child and only son of Great War flying ace, Captain Harry Cobby DSO DFC, and his wife, Hilda Urban.

Neil Cobby is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Second Australian Imperial Force 1942-1945
2/14th Infantry Battalion

Neil served in the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during the Second World War; enlisted 20th January 1942. He had earlier enlisted in the Militia. ^[1] Joining the 2/14th Australian Infantry Battalion mid-year upon its return from the Middle East, they were deployed to Papua, to Australia's immediate northern territories, on 13th August. The 2/14th was one of the first AIF units to meet the Japanese on the Kokoda Track, doing so at Isurava on 26th August. On 16th September the battalion was combined with the 2/16th as both were too weak individually. The battalion, back on its own with reinforcements, was withdrawn following the Gona campaign in early 1943 with just 21 soldiers fit to fight. After recuperation, training and further reinforcements, the battalion served again in New Guinea in the Ramu Valley and Finisterre Mountains, and then towards the end of the war in the Balikpapan landings. ^[2] Neil's jungle war was certainly very different to his father's two wars in the air. Neil was discharged on 25th June 1945.

Putting the war behind him, Neil married Jill Fackrell on 1st November 1946 in St Andrew's Church of England (Anglican Church), Brighton, Victoria. ^[3] The Argus published an announcement of the wedding under the heading Air Commodore's Son Married at Brighton:

"Jill Beverley, only daughter of Mrs E. Fackrell, Middle Brighton, and the late Mr G. Fackrell, made an attractive bride yesterday, when she was married to Neil, only son of Air Commodore and Mrs H. Cobby, Brighton.

"St Andrew's Church, Middle Brighton, was the setting for the wedding, at which Archdeacon Hewett officiated. The bride, who was attended by Miss Althea Bracken, wore a blue crepe suit and carried a prayer book with a trail of Cecil Brunner roses and forget-me-nots. Mr Bill Bowers was best man. A reception was held at the home of Air-Commodore and Mrs Cobby." ^[4]

He and Jill divorced several years later and Neil subsequently married Elinore Jean Clark-Kennedy with whom he had David and Susan. He and Jean (her preferred name) later divorced.

Aged 63 years, he passed away on 20th March 1985 in South Caulfield, Victoria and his ashes were placed in Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale, Victoria. ^[5][6][7] He was survived by children, David and Susan, and grandson, Danny.

Sources

1. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: VX66633 Neil Wansborough Cobby
2. ↑ Australian War Memorial unit record: 2/14th Australian Infantry Battalion
3. ↑ Victoria Marriage Index #16883/1946
4. ↑ The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Sat 2 Nov 1946 Page 10 Air Commodore's Son Married at Brighton; accessed 16 May 2019
5. ↑ Victoria Death Index #7479/1985
6. ↑ Billion Graves; accessed 13 Dec 2022
7. ↑ Find-a-Grave; accessed 13 Dec 2022