A Great War 'Givenchy trench raid, February 1917' M.C. group of four awarded to Captain W....

A Great War ‘Givenchy trench raid, February 1917’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain W. R. Cobb, Royal West Kent Regiment, who was awarded the M.C. for the first daylight trench raid in his Corps; was wounded at Ypres in April 1915, and on the Somme in July 1916; and was mortally wounded leading his Company in the attack at Gheluvelt on 4 October 1917 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, mounted on its original investiture pin; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. W. R. Cobb, R.W. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. R. Cobb.) surname lightly double-stamped on VM; Memorial Plaque (William Ralph Cobb) in envelope with Buckingham Palace enclosure and outer card envelope, extremely fine (5) £1,200-£1,600 --- M.C. London Gazette 26 March 1917: ‘He handled his Company in a raid against the enemy’s trenches with marked ability, and the success of the raid was largely due to his leadership. He has on many previous occasions done fine work.’ The following detailed citation is taken from the regimental history Invicta: ‘Throughout the raid on the enemy trenches at Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée, on 10th February 1917, was in command of one of the raiding companies. Previous to the raid he trained his company with great thoroughness, going into the smallest details and showing great ability and resource. He brought his men to a pitch of the greatest keenness. When the raid took place he handled his company with great judgement. Owing to his careful timing of the start of the raiding parties and his orders given for the withdrawal, his company suffered few casualties. This officer was largely responsible for the success of the raid. On the 8th inst. when the Germans raided our trenches, Capt. Cobb's company was in support, he immediately went to the front line on his own initiative to ascertain the situation, and then took command of the front line while the O.C. the front line company went to Battalion H.Q. to report. This officer had previously done much good work. He was wounded at the second battle of Ypres in April 1915 [23rd, gunshot wounds to foot and ankle], and again at High Wood in July 1916 [24th, wounded in face and thigh].’ William Ralph Cobb was born at Higham, Kent, on 11 December 1895, and was educated at Hildersham House School, Broadstairs, and Tonbridge School (scholarship) from 1909. Commissioned into the Special Reserve, Royal West Kent Regiment on 15 August 1914, he was attached to the 1st Battalion and served in France from 24 January 1915. Evacuated to the U.K. following his wounds in April 1915 and July 1916, he received his M.C. from King George V at a Buckingham Palace Investiture on 23 May 1917. Returning once again to France, he was mortally wounded leading his Company in the attack at Gheluvelt on 4 October 1917, and died the following day. His C.O. gave the following account in writing to Cobb's father:- ‘We (The Battalion) were ordered to attack at 6 a.m. on the morning of the 4th October, and your boy took his Company forward. He and his men reached their objective with slight loss and immediately began the task of consolidation. By the evening of the 4th, the other Commanders of Companies had been wounded and evacuated to the rear, and your gallant boy took over the superintending of the consolidation so satisfactorily that the Battalion was enabled to beat of at least five enemy counter attacks during the next 16 hours, and to escape with few casualties one intense bombardment of our lines by the enemy guns. Orders had actually been received for the relief of the Battalion, and had gone out to Companies - and the runner who had taken the message to your son, brought back the news that he had been wounded. The shock of his wounds was too great. He died as he had lived, a very gallant soldier, and is buried on the ground he helped to gain. I have only known him the last three months, but had formed a very high opinion of him both as a soldier and as a man. Your son was immensely popular in the Battalion which can ill afford the loss of such a leader of men.’ His soldier servant wrote: ‘He was very greatly admired and beloved by all the boys in his Company, who miss him very much. They all hope that further honours will be added to his name, as he thoroughly deserves any distinction that may be awarded.’ A Major who was with the Battalion till last June wrote: ‘I always considered him one of the best Officers we had out here, and I cannot tell you how sorry I was to hear of his death. I have had several accounts of the fighting about the 4th October, and every one I hear from speaks most highly of his work on that occasion. He evidently did magnificent work.’
And quoted a letter he had received from another Officer who said:
‘We had 24 hours of the heaviest shelling known to this front. The men, thanks to poor old Cobb, held on and defeated five counter attacks. He was cool, calm and collected throughout. The men haven’t finished talking about home yet.’ The C.O. of the Special Reserve Battalion wrote: ‘He gained the affection of everyone who met him. He was always a most able and conscientious Officer. Everyone who has served with him speaks of his bravery and devotion to duty. An Officer who is just back on leave tells me he was responsible for the success of the Battalion in the last attack and deserved the highest honour.’ The Brigade-Major wrote: ‘He is a great loss to the Brigade. He was a magnificent Officer, always cheerful and absolutely fearless. His splendid work contributed very largely to the great success achieved by his Battalion. I saw him just as he was going up into action, laughing and joking, a perfect example to both Officers and men. The General has asked me to tell you how much he appreciated the splendid work your son did - every officer and man who was with him during the battle speaks of the splendid leadership and utter disregard of danger shown by your son.’ Sold with comprehensive research saved to a Memory Stick.