Education
Christchurch Boys" High School.
Christchurch Boys" High School.
He was a wing. He played for Canterbury, and was selected for the first test against the Springboks in August 1937. His test (and All Black) career only lasted 25 minutes, as he was severely injured in a bad tackle. As he was walking and greeted the team at the end of the game, a national selector said he should have returned to the field, and proposed to veto his further selection.
Cobden went to England in 1937, and in 1938 joined the Royal Air Force on a short service commission.
In England he played for Catford Bridge, Kent, the Royal Air Force and the Barbarians. He was posted to Number. 74 Squadron Royal Air Force, which was flying Spitfires from Royal Air Force Hornchurch in Essex during the Battle of France and then the Battle of Britain.
He was last seen attacking a number of enemy aircraft, and failed to return. He was posted missing – on his 26th birthday.
He is buried at Oostende new communal cemetery.
He was born in Christchurch and educated at Christchurch Boys" High School.
On 11 August 1940, he was despatched with members of 76 Squadron to protect a convoy, and they engaged a large group of Messerschmitt BF 110s about 10 miles off the coast of Harwich.