John W Cobb

Lieutenant John Wesley Cobb  10/35
1st Battalion, Auckland Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force

6 April 1892 - 7 June 1917



John Wesley Cobb (known as Jack) is my great uncle, the youngest brother of my great grandfather. Jack is the uncle of George L D Cobb (Lynch), and Eric and Robert Ashcroft who are also remembered on this blog. The following information about Jack was sourced from his military records and other related texts. I have endeavored to record the story of his involvement in the war as accurately as possible. 

John Wesley Cobb (known as Jack) was the youngest child of English-born photographers Joseph Edward Cobb (13 March 1839 - 17 March 1911) and his wife Harriet Sophia Cobb (c10 Feb 1846 - 18 Dec 1929). It is of note that Harriet is remembered as one of New Zealand's first female professional photographers. Jack was born in Napier where his parents had one of their photography studios. He was christened in the Trinity Methodist Church on 29 May 1892.

John Wesley Cobb's name is mentioned in the list of christenings
at the Trinity Methodist Church 1892.
(Photo by K Bland 2015)

Born Napier 6 April 1892, christened 29 May 1892 by G W Spencer.
(Photo by K Bland 2015)

Jack was one of 15 children, the youngest by 9 years. When he was born, Jack's oldest brother Alfred was already 23 years old and married. Being the youngest, Jack had many brothers, sisters and cousins to dote on him. The Cobb family resided on Emerson Street, Napier.


Jack completed his schooling in Napier. When he was five years old he sang a solo at the Napier District school's annual fundraising concert which was held at the Theatre Royal on 18 December 1897. He sang 'Wheelbarrow Song,' and following it, received a "warm reception". A few days later little Jack, who was in the Prep 1 class, was awarded a prize for singing from Napier's mayor, Mr G H Swan.

In 1898, at the Hastings Street School prize-giving, six year old Jack received another prize for singing. His cousin Alice (Emily Alice Lydford), received the Standard V prize from the Main School the same day!

While a schoolboy, Jack was keen to engage in military excercises. He was also very popular at school.

Jack's family attended the Trinity Methodist Church. His name was recorded several times in the church's youth register.

The photo below shows a young Jack with several members of his family at a wedding, around 1900.

Jack is seated at the front with his mother, Harriett, at a family wedding.
Photo taken around 1900.


Ten year old Jack is pictured below, at the wedding of his sister Alice (known as Mabel) at the Trinity Methodist Church, on 29 March 1902.


The Cobb family celebrate Alice Mabel Cobb's wedding, in 1902.
Jack is second from the right, middle row between the bride and his eldest sister Elsie.

Sadly, Mabel died on 18 February 1903, five days after giving birth to her daughter, and just shy of her 23rd birthday. Jack would have attended Mabel's funeral service at the Trinity Methodist Church on 22 February and was probably part of the congregation that laid her to rest at the Old Napier Cemetery.

In 1903, Jack received a prize for outstanding attendance at the Annual Meeting of the Scripture Union which was held at the Sunday School rooms of St Paul's Church, Napier (on Tennyson Street).

One week before Jack's twelfth birthday, he probably attended his sister Mary's wedding at the Trinity Methodist Church, Napier.

It is unclear what Jack did between the ages of 12 and 15 but it is possible that he worked in his parent's photography studio. He may have also explored the basics of carpentry from his father or uncle Richard Lydford.

The Trinity Methodist Church records indicate that Jack moved to Te Kuiti between March and December 1907 when he was just 15 years old. He lived there (probably with his sister Dorothy) for about 7 years where he did his apprenticeship as a joiner in 'Blackman & Cobb', the cabinet making business jointly owned by his brother-in-law Arnold Blackman and brother Harold Day Cobb. They were also local funeral directors and embalmers. Jack apparently became well known in Te Kuiti amongst the older folk there. It is likely that he learnt a great deal from his brother who specialised in picture framing. Jack was later described in the King Country Chronicle (Volume XI, Issue 983, 20 June 1917) as "one of our townsmen of great promise."

During early 1908 Jack would have received word that his sister Mary was gravely ill with tuberculosis. She never recovered, and passed away peacefully on 16 February 1908 leaving behind her husband, Robert, and a one year old son, Gordon. Mary was buried in Onga Onga. It is unknown if Jack attended the funeral.

According to the King Country Chronicle (Volume IV, Issue 265, 4 June 1910) Jack, Harold Cobb, and Arnold Blackman were all elected to the volunteer fire brigade in Te Kuiti. They were involved in regular training in how to extinguish fires, and learned life support techniques. Jack also served in the local terrritorial troop.

Jack's father, Joseph (70), passed away suddenly on 17 March 1911 at the family home. The children would have gathered with their mother in Napier. They farewelled him at the Trinity Methodist Church and then the burial service was held at the Old Napier Cemetery on highest ridge.

It is possible that Jack may have left the employment of his brother and brother-in-law when they ended their business partnership on June 1912. 

On August 12, 1914 the New Zealand government's offer to send Expeditionary Forces to join the war was accepted by the Imperial authorities. Jack wasted no time and promptly enlisted in Masterton on 19 August, 1914. 

After enlisting, Jack was involved in some pre-war training at the Awapuni Racecourse in Palmerston North. This included drills, marches and training in the use of weapons. At the time there were four ships in Wellington being fitted out to accommodate soldiers as well as the horses of the Mounted Rifles Regiment. The plan was for the ships to join up with ships from Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin and sail together to join the British forces on the Western Front.

Jack would have boarded one of the steam ships with the 17 Ruahine Company of the Wellington Infantry Battalion on 24 September after a rousing farewell at Newtown Park from Wellingtonians. Three of the ships left the dock at 5:30pm that evening and anchored out in the harbour, awaiting their sister ships from the South Island. They had planned on departing New Zealand together in the early hours of the following morning. This never eventuated as the three ships from Auckland were recalled by Prime Minister William Massey. The book, New Zealand and the First World War 1914-1919 by Damien Fenton, explains that the Prime Minister was unhappy about the lack of naval protection provided for the ships and requested more robust security. This meant that the seven ships in the harbour had no choice but to dock at Wellington, unload horses and troops, and wait. During the three weeks of waiting, the troops participated in more training and were entertained at evening concerts put on by the people of Wellington.

A fleet of ten troopships finally set sail from Wellington at 6am on Friday, 16 October 1914 with the protection of the battle ships HMS Minotaur and Ibuki. Around 9000 men and almost 4000 horses were on board the ships. The following video clip gives details about the departure of the Main Body. See also the video 'Farewells' which gives another impression of departure.

The Wellington Infantry Battalion, consisting of 1010 men and officers, left on the ships Limerick and the Arawa. It is unclear which of the two ships Jack was on. The ships also carried horses, ammunition and other supplies for the war. Soldiers had to participate in drills, exercise regimes, lectures and inspections while on board, but free time was often spent playing cards and smoking. Concerts and sports were other popular pastimes onboard the ships. Watch the video 'Life on board the troopships' for an insight into what life was like for a Main Body soldier on his way to war.

Six days after leaving Wellington, the New Zealand fleet docked in Hobart, where some ships carrying troops from Tasmania, joined the convoy. They all set sail for Albany, Western Australia where they arrived on 29 October 1914.  Here, two military ships, and thousands of Australian soldiers, on 26 troopships, joined the convoy. Earlier that day there had been a German led attack against Russian ships in the Black Sea. The Ottoman Turks joined the war on the side of Germany. This led to an unexpected change in plan for the Australian and New Zealand forces. They would now head towards Egypt with the goal of defending the Suez Canal. There was a high level of disappointment among the troops about this change of plan as they had anticipated front line action in Europe.

The convoy of 43 ships with their military escorts set sail from Australia. The first port of call was Colombo, and the second was in Aden. They sailed cautiously through the Suez Canel, and finally, the convoy docked in Alexandria, Egypt before dawn on 3 December 1914. Over the next few days the New Zealand troops then traveled into the desert by train to the Zeitoun Camp, a short distance from Cairo where they established their camp. The soldiers were housed in large tents.  

While in camp in Egypt, Jack and his comrades in the Wellington Infantry Battalion received further military training under Lieutenant-Colonel William G Malone. He is described in Richard Stower's book, 'Bloody Gallipoli' (p22) as being a hard taskmaster but well liked and respected by those under him. Lieutenant-Colonel Malone trained his battalion in the desert, away from the other battalions. Part of the training involved the use of firearms. The large-scale daily marches into the desert would have toughened the troops up in preparation for the battlefield.  It would have also served the purpose of weeding out those who were unfit for service.  Those who couldn't cope with the rigors of military life were sent back home.


Wellington Infantry Battalion at El Kubri, Egypt.
Ref 1/2-168782-F  Alexander Turnball Library, Wellington, NZ


The New Zealand troops were given a little information booklet about the services that were available in Alexandria. Jack's copy, shown below, is currently in the possession of my mother.


Soldiers had ample time to explore the attractions of Heliopolis, a wealthy suburb of Cairo which was in walking distance of the camp. They also were able to explore historic sites nearby including the pyramids of Giza.

On 23 December 1914, troops paraded through Cairo on the occasion of the crowning of Prince Hussein Kamel Pasha as Sultan of Egypt. This was to impress the local population with the military might in their midst should they decide to side with Turkey. 

The New Zealand Infantry Brigade were sent to the Suez Canal on 25 January, 1915 where they were to protect the area from Turkish attack. Jack's battalion was stationed at Suez. The Turks attempted a crossing of the canal on 2 February, but soldiers from the Nelson Company fired on them, causing many fatalities. The following night, the Turks fired artillery towards soldiers of the Wellington Infantry stationed at Kubri. This was New Zealand's first real taste of war. The second was just around the corner. 

By the end of February 1915 the brigade returned to their camp in Zeitoun but not for long. Richard Stowers, in 'Bloody Gallipoli' (page 31) records that the New Zealand forces departed from Alexandria on Monday evening, 12 April 1915 on the ship TS Lutzow which arrived at the port of Mudros on the Greek Island of Lemnos early on 15 April. Hundreds of ships were in the port which must have excited the boys from down-under. It was here that the Australian and New Zealand forces would come together as the ANZAC forces (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and join 80 000 men from Britain and France under the leadership of General Sir Ian Hamilton.

While in Mudros the Anzacs participated in drills to simulate the planned boat landings on the Gallipoli Peninsular.

The combined forces began their campaign to rout the Ottoman army from the Gallipoli Peninsula before dawn on Sunday 25 April. The Australians set sail first and reached the beach now known as Anzac Cove first, at approximately 1am. The plan was to land at Z Beach but unfortunate errors led to the soldiers landing about one mile north of the intended beach. This was a catastrophic mistake as the rugged and steep ridges only favoured the Turks who were perched on top of the steep ridges and fired on the unprotected Anzacs without mercy as they landed on the beach. Anzac soldiers who survived the onslaught had to move quickly to find cover or they too would succumb to the bullets of the Turks. There were many hundreds of casualties. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Braithwaite reported to General Birdwood that no Anzacs could land in the afternoon of 25 April due to heavy fire from the Turks (See p47, 'Bloody Gallipoli' ). This meant that Jack and the rest of the Wellington Infantry Battalion could only look on at the severity of the battle from their ship which arrived off the coast of Gaba Tebe around midday. It would have been a scary sight to see and hear all the artillery being fired backwards and forwards. No doubt there were plenty of prayers being said by those leaving the ship. Finally, by early evening, Lieutenant-Colonel Malone and one company of the Wellington Infantry Battalion landed and were stationed as reserves under some cliffs on the beach. During the night, the rest of the Battalion came ashore. It is unclear at which point Jack disembarked. 

What we do know, is that two days later, on 27 April, sixteen Turkish battalions attacked the Anzacs, trying to drive them back to the coast. Jack was wounded in this attack while on Walker's Ridge, receiving a gunshot wound in his thigh. The Turks, however, sustained greater losses and the Anzac defenses on the ridge stood.

Walkers Ridge, Gallipoli Peninsular, Turkey.
Ref: PAI-o-811-04-3 Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, NZ

Jack was eventually evacuated by ship and taken back to Egypt. On 2 May 1915 he arrived at the 1st Australian General Hospital in Heliopolis, in suburban Cairo.  This hospital was really a 400 room luxury hotel which was used by British forces during both World Wars. Interestingly, after the hotel was renovated in the 1980s, it became one of Egypt's presidential palaces.


This photo , from the Australian War Memorial, shows the wounded from Gallipoli being transferred from the Hospital Ship Gascon in the port of Alexandria to a train which would transport them to hospital in Cairo. 1915. AWM H12939


Operating theatre at the 1st Australian General Hospital, (the former Heliopolis Palace Hotel), Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt.  c 1916

Wounded soldiers from the Gallipoli campaign recovering at Luna Park. 
Australian War Memorial H 18510.  Heliopolis, Egypt c 1915.

An announcement was made in the popular Wellington-based newspaper 'Free Lance' (Volume XV, Issue 784, 14 May 1915, page 8) stating that Jack had been wounded. A grainy photo (shown below) was also printed alongside the announcement.  

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J W Cobb picture in the paper, Free Lance on 14 May 1915.


Sir George Grey Special Collections, 
Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19170628-40-7
Photo from 1915.

On May 12 1915, John wrote a letter to his Uncle William who lived in Bournemouth, England. It was printed in the Bournemouth papers and then printed in the Manawatu Standard a few months later. In it, John gives specific details about the circumstances in which he was wounded.


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When Jack was discharged from hospital on 13 June, he was sent to a Convalescent Camp in Helouan about 32 kilometers up the Nile River from Cairo. He spent just over one month recuperating there. The following postcard was sent to Jack's brother Bob from the Hotel 'Al Hayat' Convalescent Hospital in Helouan. His note states that the photo was taken the day after he left the hospital and that he had to borrow the uniform he was wearing from an Australian soldier. He also acknowledges Bob's wife Alice and their children. 



The letter reads:
Dear Bob, Just to let you know I am well by having plenty of rest it's (?) about 40 miles from Cairo's noise. I have received no mail yet but still in hopes. I hope all are well. i have recovered my lost property and have  managed to get some pay. Now with best love to Alice and children, and hoping business with you is good. I remain yours etc Jack. I had photo taken one night the first day out of the hospital at Luna Park. I had no clothes but I borrowed an Australian's uniform sooner than be beat.

From 19 July 1915, Jack was discharged to Base Camp in Zeitoun but it seems that he had not fully recovered from his injuries because he was re-admitted to another convalescent hospital on 31 July. This time, Sidi Pasha Convalescent Hospital, in Alexandria.

Just as Jack rejoined his battalion in Gallipoli on 28 August along with fresh troops, some of his tired and discouraged ANZAC comrades were sent off to rest camp in Lemnos following another allied defeat. Those who remained behind on the Gallipoli peninsula suffered terribly. There was a lot to contend with - rats, lice, extremes in weather, a poor diet, limited supplies of clean water, the smell of the dead, lack of hygiene, disease, and on top of that, an ever present enemy lurking above them.

While in Gallipoli Jack was appointed temporary company Sergeant Major. He obviously had some natural leadership qualities. Around 16 December, Jack and his comrades would have been informed of the plan to evacuate from Anzac Cove. The news that they would be leaving the graves of their fallen comrades brought much disappointment. 

In the days leading up to the evacuation, stores and equipment were secretly moved offshore or destroyed. Mines and traps were laid and all personnel who were even slightly sick or hurt were dispatched to awaiting hospital ships. Cunning devices were quickly constructed to fire shots from guns even after the soldiers had left. This was to fool the Turks into believing that nothing was amiss. Candles were lit, fires were left burning, and blankets were left out to dry in the sun. Everything seemed as per usual.

The main part of the evacuation was carried out at night. On the evenings of 18 and 19 December, soldiers made their way silently down to the main gateway at Chailak Dere where they were checked off before being taken to awaiting ships. Jack was one of 15 men from his unit who were selected to leave the trenches last. By 4:10am on 20 December, all the Anzacs were aboard the ships which sailed to Lemnos where they rested for a few days. 

According to the New Zealand Herald Vol LIV, Issue 16574, 25 June 1917, Page 7, Jack was one of the last Anzacs to leave Gallipoli.



While the evacuation miraculously incurred no loss of life, the Gallipoli campaign was an Allied defeat. The Anzacs felt glad that they could escape the horrors of Gallipoli but were bitterly disappointed that they had to leave their dead with no-one to tend their graves.

The book, History of the New Zealand Engineers 1914 - 1919 (page 248) talks about the Anzacs being welcomed to Lemos by a Navy band on the morning of their arrival. The Anzacs were delighted to take hot baths and to eat a huge breakfast after months of surviving on one cup of fresh water a day, and meager rations. On Christmas morning, the New Zealanders boarded a ship to return to Egypt. The soldiers were promised a delicious Christmas dinner on board, but to their disappointment, it never eventuated. 

Jack's military records show that he was in Alexandria, Egypt by 29 December, 1915, then went to Moascar Camp near Ismailia on the Suez Canel. On arrival at Moascar, the soldiers were met by the advanced party who had cooked dinner, but failed to prepare accommodation. The soldiers had to hastily construct bivouacs to sleep in until tents arrived from Cairo.

On New Years Day 1916, Jack was promoted to Company Sergeant Major. He was now officially second in command of his Platoon

By this time, reinforcements had arrived to join the surviving Anzac soldiers. A new round of training was put in place with daily marches into the desert, often at night, to harden up the troops and prepare them for front line duties in France. 

On 1 March 1916 Jack received another promotion. This time he was commissioned to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. With the 1st Lieutenant, Jack would now be responsible for making decisions for the 50 men under them. At this time Jack was also transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Auckland Regiment.  

Here is a copy of the document that Jack received on his appointment to 2nd Lieutenant.


At this time the ANZAC troops were reorganised into the I and II Anzac Corps, each having 60 000 men. They prepared to fight with the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. The New Zealand troops initially became part of the I Anzac Corps consisting of the 1st and 2nd Australian Divisions and the New Zealand Division. 

Before heading to front line duties in Europe, Jack and the other 1 Anzac forces spent 18 days defending a section of the Suez Canal. Then on 6 April 1916 Jack's battalion departed for front line duties in France from Port Said on the ship HMS Franconia. The 2 Auckland Battalion left the following day. German submarines were lurking in the waters but none managed to torpedo the troopships.

In the book, The Auckland Regiment NZEF 1914 - 1918 (chapter 16), it describes the 1st Auckland Battalion landing at Marseilles, then travelling for three days by train up through France, skirting Paris, and finally arriving at Steenbecque on 16 April. Jack and his comrades were billeted out in the barns and pig sties of farmhouses located between the towns of Morbecque and Hazebrouck. Two of the biggest problems the soldiers faced on arrival was keeping warm, and communicating with the locals. Gunfire from the front lines could be heard in the distance.

By the end of April the entire I Anzac Corps had arrived in Europe and had gathered in towns in the North-West of France, near the trenches surrounding Armentieres. According to The Auckland Regiment NZEF 1914 - 1918 (page 93), the 1st New Zealand Brigade of which Jack's Battalion belonged to, went to relieve soldiers at La Chapelle d'Armentieres. On arrival, they found that the trenches were in a state of disrepair so they worked on draining and repairing them. Jack wasn't there long as his military record shows that from 28 May 1916, he was first attached, then later (from 18 August), seconded for duty with the 1st Australian Tunneling Company.  It is also unclear whether Jack was send to work in the vicinity of Railway Wood, Hooge Wood, and Armagh Wood near Ypres, or at Ploegsteert Wood. He was with the Australian Mining Corps for a few months.

In October 1916, Jack took leave and visited his extended family in Bournmouth, England. While there, the following picture was taken at the photographic studio owned by his maternal uncle, William Day.
John W Cobb - This photo was taken while Jack was on leave
and visiting his uncle in Bournemouth in October 1916.
Photo by E Day & Son, 9 Lansdown Road, Bouremouth.

(Photo courtesy of L Cobb)

From 9 November 1916 the Australian Tunnelers took over the defense of the tunnels in Hill 60 near the village of Messines, Belgium. Hill 60 is a man-made hill consisting of layers of clay, sand and quicksand deposited in a huge mound after the Ypres to Comines railway line was carved out in the 1850s. Because the hill was an elevated location in an otherwise flat landscape, it was a strategic location for both the allies as well as the German forces. Both sides fought for it. 

It was vital for the Allies, that the Germans did not discover their tunnels, mines or detonator cables before the planned detonation the following year. While the tunnelers' main job was to defend the tunnels and the two huge mines hidden in Hill 60, their important secondary job was to improve the ventilation and drainage of the mines. This was done by digging a deep shaft lined with metal. It was named 'Sydney'. From it, they dug further defensive tunnels from Hill 60, naming them after various other Australian cities, and created some dugouts for troops. No doubt Jack's experience as a carpenter came in useful when it came to lining the tunnels and galleries with timber supports. The tunnels were up to 2000 feet in length and the mines were laid between 50 to 100 feet underground.

Jack was attached to the New Zealand Engineers Tunneling Company in the latter half of 1916 (possibly from November), until early January 1917. It appears that he may have been involved in assisting the New Zealand tunnelers in the creation of an underground defense system firstly at Chantecler, then in the Ronville system under the city of Arras.

On 3 January 1917, Jack was at the infamous military camp at Etaples, at the northern tip of France. He was temporarily attached to the New Zealand Infantry and General Base Depot, and then rejoined the New Zealand Division in the field on 15 January. Two days later he was again part of the 1st Battalion of the Auckland Regiment as a member of the 1st Brigade who were taking turns with the 2nd Brigade to defend the Fleurbaix sector, at either Tin Barn Avenue or the J Post trenches (See The Auckland Regiment NZEF 1914 -1918 (chapter 19).

By late February, the 1st Battalion were at the front line at Despierre Farm. Their first job was to fix the trenches which were in a state of disrepair. Trenches were often not deep enough and had poor drainage. There were also blockages in the communication trenches which the troops fixed. They also reinforced barbed wire defenses in the area. 

According to The Auckland Regiment NZEF 1914 -1918 (chapter 20), the 1st Battalion were moved around a lot during the next few months, first to Le Bizet, Nieppe, then Aldershot Camp, then as support, at Ploegsteert, and then to front line duties at Hill 63. They also spent time at Plus Douve Farm. After that they were sent back to Hill 63 for a few days before returning to Aldershot Camp. When not in the front line trenches, the 1st Battalion spent most of their time at Ploegsteert Wood digging and burying cables six feet down in communication trenches, in preparation for the offensive at Messines. This work was done mainly at night. 

On 4 May the 1st Battalion were at the line at Wulverghem, but a few days later were relieved. On 8 May the whole brigade were stationed back from the front lines to begin training for the battle of Messines. The 1st Battalion were billeted in farms at Pradelles.

On 18 May, Jack and his comrades from the 1st Battalion traveled by train from Bailleul to St Omer. They then marched eight kilometers further on, to the little village of Setques. For the next 12 days the men attended a training camp near St Omer, to prepare them for the upcoming battle. The men were able to study and rehearse movements on a large clay model of the front lines at Messines. After daily training sessions the troops marched back to Setques and promptly stripped and bathed naked in the river in full view of the uncomplaining locals.

On 3 June, Jack and his Battalion were stationed as support at Hill 63, sheltering in huts and tents in the bush. Guns were firing all around them.

The 1st Battalion were relieved on 5 June. They went back from the front lines to Canteen Corner and received fresh supplies of ammunition and other equipment including a steel helmet and a respirator. Troops also had to carry two Mill's bombs in their pockets, food, water, as well as either a pick or shovel. The trip back to their post in the trenches east of Hill 63 was laborious as all the trenches were a hive of activity. They reportedly arrived back just 30 minutes before zero hour. (See The Auckland Regiment NZEF 1914 -1918 chapter 21.)

By 2am on 7 June 1917, the troops were ready for the assault while the supporting tanks were put into place. Jack was stationed in the trenches east of the town of Messines with the 1st New Zealand Brigade and alongside British and Australian forces. The New Zealand 2nd Brigade was stationed to the left and the 3rd Brigade, on the right. The 1st Brigade was at the rear. The map below showing the Battle of Messines, 7 June, gives the location of the II ANZAC Corps at zero hour.



The British detonated deadly mines directly under the German lines. Nineteen of the 21 mines laid deep in the underground tunnels exploded in split second intervals from 3:10am. The explosions were deafening, and said to be the loudest man-made sound recorded at the time. Some reports state that the explosions were heard in London!  The explosions created huge craters which can still be seen today. The largest crater is now known as the Pool of Peace. It is 129 metres across and 12 metres deep.

The explosions surprised the unsuspecting Germans, leaving them in a state of disarray. Immediately following the blasts, the allied forces climbed out of their trenches and advanced into enemy territory. The soldiers of the 2nd and 3rd New Zealand Brigades, along with their British and Australian comrades, stormed Messines by 7am, and claimed it, as the stunned Germans tried to gain composure. Jack and the 1st New Zealand Brigade left their trenches at 3:55am, following on from behind, and then going beyond the 2nd and 3rd Brigades, into the village, forcing the Germans back. They encountered a gas attack in the valley so the respirators came in handy.

The 1st Battalion advanced to the right of Messines village, towards the road from Wytschaete where they attacked and captured several German trenches. Although the Germans were in retreat early in the day, they regathered composure, and as the day wore on their artillery attacks on the allied forces increased. By the end of the battle, more than 700 New Zealanders, including Jack, were dead and approximately 10 000 Germans were reported missing. Of all the New Zealand battalions, the 1st Battalion suffered the most casualties.

Jack was 25 years of age when he died. His colleagues buried him, however, after further bombing, the exact location of his body was lost. Jack had served for 2 years and 293 days in total. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. His military record says that the promotion applied from 11 May, 1917. The following list details Jack's international military service:
  • Egypt (training) - 207 days
  • Balkan (Gallipoli campaign & time in transit to hospital in Egypt) - 21 days
  • Egypt (convalescing) - 114 days
  • Balkan (Gallipoli campaign) - 124 days
  • Egypt (training) - 80 days
  • E.E.F. - Egyptian Expeditionary Force (defence of the Suez Canal) - 18 days
  • Western Front - 428 days


The last paragraph of the following article from the Poverty Bay Herald on 16 June 1917, announces that Jack is missing, presumed dead. It also refers to the tragic death of his nephew, George L D Cobb (known as Lynch) barely two weeks prior.  

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14326, 16 June 1917, pg 3



The following comprehensive summary of Jack's service during World War 1 was printed in the Manawatu Standard, 30 August 1917.


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The following document was sent to Jack's mother after his death, outlining his movements during the war.



Jack's sister and brother-in-law, Arnold and Dorothy Blackman placed the following death notice for Jack in the New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16576, 27 June 1917:




The Blackmans later had the following Bereavement Notice printed in the King Country Chronicle (Volume XI, Issue 989, 11 July 1917, p4) to thank all those who sent condolence cards and messages following Jack's death. It read:


It is clear that Jack was dearly loved by his family and that they felt awfully proud of him. Dorothy, in particular, was very public in her display of affection and remembrance of Jack. She placed the following memorial notice for Jack in the New Zealand Herald, 7 June 1920, the third anniversary of his death:



In the following memorial placed in the New Zealand Herald, 7 June 1921 we ascertain that Dorothy was in a contemplative frame of mind. It is possible that she was thinking about the war's awful waste of life and that those still living should be eternally grateful for their gift of freedom and life.




On the first anniversary of Jack's death, his close friend Private W C Nicholson from Te Kuiti, also posted a memorial notice in the New Zealand Herald (Volume LV, Issue 16870, 7 June 1918, pg1). In it, Private Nicholson speaks of Jack's 'lonely grave' far away and vows to always remember him:



Six years after Jack died, Dorothy and her husband again inserted a memorial notice in the New Zealand Herald (Volume LV, Issue 18419, 7 June, 1923, pg1). They acknowledged that he gave his life in serving his country.



Jack's name is engraved on the New Zealand Memorial in the Messines Ridge British Cemetery in Mesen, Belgium.  This memorial remembers 827 New Zealanders who died in or near Messines in 1917 and 1918  and whose graves are unknown.

Jack received the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.


The replica war medals for J W Cobb.
Jack was also awarded 'wound stripes.'


Jack's name is engraved on the walls of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, WW1 Sanctuary.



He is also remembered on the Te Kuiti First World War Memorial, and the Eketahuna war memorial.

Eketahuna War Memorial. (2015)
Eketahuna War Memorial plaque.
(Photo by K Bland, 2015)

Eketahuna War Memorial plaque. (Photo by K Bland, 2015)


Jack is also remembered on the Palmerston North war memorial, and his name is on the war memorial at the All Saint's Church, 338 Church Street, Palmerston North which was unveiled at a touching church service in 1920. Jack's name was not initially placed on this memorial, but was added to it subsequently.

Jack's military records can be found here and here.



Sources of information

Burton, O E (2/Lieut). The Auckland Regiment NZEF 1914 -1918, Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd, Auckland: 1922
Carlyon, Les. Gallipoli  Random House, Sydney: 2001
Hamilton, Ian. Gallipoli Diary, 1915  Library of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt: 1930
History of the New Zealand Engineers 1914-1919, Evans, Cobb & Sharpe Ltd, Wanganui NZ: 1927
http://www.awm.gov.au/sites/default/files/phantom-soldiers-tunellers.pdf  Phantom Soldiers. Australian Tunnelers on the Western Front, 1916-18.  Accessed 25 October 2014
Archway Archives New Zealand - Record 21899729 and Record 7879754
Auckland War Memorial Museum - Online Cenotaph
New Zealand Defence Forces - WW1 Army Service Records - Commonly Used Abbreviations



Information about the Battle of Messines

Battle of Messines map


WW1 footage

The Battle of Messines

WW1 - Hill 60

Below is the trailer to Beneath Hill 60 (2010) is an Australian made film based on the 1st Australian Tunnelers experiences under Hill 60.

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