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Harry Cobby (1894–1955) was the leading fighter ace of the Australian Flying Corps during World War I. A bank clerk when war broke out, he was prevented by his employer from enlisting in the military until 1916. After flying training, he was posted to the Western Front with No. 4 Squadron AFC. In less than a year of combat he achieved 29 victories, all flying the Sopwith Camel. Acclaimed a national hero, Cobby transferred to the newly formed Royal Australian Air Force in 1921. He commanded No. 1 Squadron and RAAF Station Richmond, before leaving to join the Civil Aviation Board in 1936. Re-joining the RAAF at the outbreak of World War II, Cobby was awarded the George Medal in 1943 for rescuing fellow survivors of an aircraft crash. The following year he was appointed Air Officer Commanding No. 10 Operational Group, but was relieved of his post in the wake of the "Morotai Mutiny" of April 1945. Retiring from the RAAF in 1946, Cobby served with the Department of Civil Aviation until his death on Armistice Day in 1955. (more...)
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