COBLEY, Victor Charles
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Rank:
Lance Corporal
Unit / Base:
2 Commando
Prior Police Service:
Plymouth City Police
Regiment/Corps:
Devonshire Regiment
Service:
Army
Number:
14241816
Honours & Awards:
Born:
Monday, December 30, 1918
Victor Cobley served in the Heavy Weapons Troop. In 1944 he was commissioned Second Lieutenant. A serving Police Officer he volunteered as one of the Police Intakes to the Commandos.
Constable 273 Cobley joined the Plymouth City Police on 3 April 1939 and was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1941. He retired with the rank of Chief Inspector,Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, on 30 September 1969.
Citation
British Empire Medal whilst a Police Constable with the Plymouth City Police.
"When a building at Plymouth was partly demolished by high explosive bombs, Constable Cobley worked hard and intelligently to rescue the casualties. He then helped to release several persons trapped in the basement of a private house. Completing this task, and whilst bombing was still active, he attended to the wants of victims bombed out of their homes.
Constable 273 Cobley joined the Plymouth City Police on 3 April 1939 and was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1941. He retired with the rank of Chief Inspector,Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, on 30 September 1969.
Citation
British Empire Medal whilst a Police Constable with the Plymouth City Police.
"When a building at Plymouth was partly demolished by high explosive bombs, Constable Cobley worked hard and intelligently to rescue the casualties. He then helped to release several persons trapped in the basement of a private house. Completing this task, and whilst bombing was still active, he attended to the wants of victims bombed out of their homes.
Further bombs dropped during this period and the Constable, with assistance, extricated three persons from a house that had received a direct hit and was on fire. This rescue was particularly hazardous and necessitated working with the greatest possible speed. Cobley continued his work, exhibiting a conspicuously high standard of conduct generally during the period of the raid."
Sources
CVA No.2 Commando Gallery image of the HWT Gibraltar 1943.
The 1939 Register covering Plymouth.
The Call of Duty. Campion 1997 page 26.
OCTU: London Gazette 36478, page 1825 published 18 April 1944.
Award: London Gazette 35226, page 4254 published 22 July 1941.
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
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