Profile image
Military service
Service number:
R/193139
Age:
21
Rank:
Sergeant
Force:
Air Force
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Division:
432 Sqdn.
Death:
January 3, 1944
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
1. H. 10.
Additional information
Son of Harold Frank and Gladys Georgiana Cobbett, of Hamilton, Ontario. husband of Patricia Jane Cobbett, of Hamilton.
Digital gallery of Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett
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Photo of John Cobbett
This picture of John Cobbett was taken on his induction into the RCAF and was found in his paybook during a search of his records (Aug 08). Cobbett was a member of F/L J. A. Allen's crew. For addition information access Allen's pictures.<P> Source: Library and Archives Canada vis R. Whitehouse -
Photo of John Cobbett
This picture of Cobbett was taken when he received his Air Gunners wings. It was taken from Personal file in the Canadian Archives. Source: Library and Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Document
Cobbett's service and NOK details from his RAF Form 373. Note that he was married 19 June 1943. He was 20 and she was 19.<P> Source: Library and Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Document
This document gives a brief outline of Cobbett's journey through the RCAF system. He joins the RCAF in Hamilton (#10 Recruiting Centre) and is sent to Toronto for processing (#1 Manning Depot). From there he is sent to Brantford, Ont. (#5 Service Flying Training School)for evaluation. He needs to upgrade his educational basics so he is sent to a upgrade school at Magill University (Montreal). From there he is sent to Trenton #2 AGGTS (Air Gunner School) and then on to MacDonald (#3 Bombing & Gunnery School). Here he gets his Wings and is sent back to Toronto (#1 Manning Depot) for processing for overseas duty.<P> Source: Library and Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Document
This is the back of his Record of Service folder. It shows all of his movements as stated and shows that he was taken into the RAF training pool on 26 June 1943. After training on Lancasters he was sent to a squadron. He died on 3 Jan 44 over Germany during the return after bombing. They were shot down by a night fighter. He was made a Sgt Air Gunner on 11 June 43.<P> Source: Library and Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
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Report Card (p1) from #2 AGGTS Trenton (11 Jun 43) the day he was promoted to Sgt and had his photo taken. See (p2) for comments by his instructors.<P> Source: Library and Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
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P2 of Report Card from #2 AGGTS.<P> Source: Library and Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
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Report Card from #5 Service Flying Training School 26 Nov 42<P> Source: Library and Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
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Cobbetts report card from # 3 OTU in England. He had a 5 week course in gunnery from a Lancaster. Note that he only scored 3% hits air-to-air. That was not unusual. From here he was posted to a squadron. <P> Source: Library and Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Document
P2 of the 3 OTU Report Card. Cobbett did 95 hours of flying in the 5 weeks he was training.<P> Source: Library and Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Document
This request for a Marriage Allowance for his wife shows the place and date of marriage. They were married just after he got his Sgt's. Stripes and before he left for England on 26 June 43. A very short marriage, unfortunately.<P> Source: Library and Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Telegram
RCAF Casualty Office telegram to Cobbett's wife stating that he is missing. It is dated 5 January. He was killed on 3 January. otice that the delivery must be reported to the sender for confirmation. Source: Library and Archives Canada via R. Whitehouse -
Newspaper clipping
This is an image of John Cobbett's obituary from the Hamilton Spectator, Jan 45. It is taken from his Personal File in the Canadian Archives. His wife sent the clipping to the RCAF.<P> Source: Library and Archives Canada vis R. Whitehouse -
Document
This is page 2 of an Mobile Research & Enquiry Unit document recording the exhumation of 16 bodies from a cemetery in Koethen, Germany in 1947. The crew of Cobbett's plane were identified. He had been buried there, but the American's had mistaken him for one of their airman and removed him to France. <P> Source: Library & Archives Canada, RG24 via R. Whitehouse -
Memorial
Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Newspaper clipping
From the Hamilton Spectator c. 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Hamilton Spectator c.1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Hamilton Spectator c.1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett
Digital gallery of
Sergeant John Arthur Cobbett
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 275 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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