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{{short description|New Zealand rugby union player}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
{{Infobox rugby biography
| image =
| image = DonaldCobden1937 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Cobden in 1937
| birth_name = Donald Gordon Cobden
| birth_name = Donald Gordon Cobden
| birth_date = {{birthdate|1914|8|11}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1914|8|11}}
| birth_place = [[Christchurch]]
| birth_place = [[Christchurch]]
| death_date = {{dda|1940|8|11|1914|8|11}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1940|8|11|1914|8|11}}
| death_place = English Channel
| death_place = English Channel
| height = {{height|m=1.85}}
| height = {{height|m=1.85|precision=0}}
| weight = {{convert|84|kg|lbs|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|84|kg|lbs|abbr=on}}
| ru_position = Wing
| ru_position = Wing
| ru_nationalyears = 1937
| repyears1 = 1937
| ru_nationalteam = {{ru|New Zealand}}
| repteam1 = {{nrut|New Zealand}}
| ru_nationalcaps = 1
| repcaps1 = 1
| ru_nationalpoints =(0)
| reppoints1 =0
}}
}}
'''Donald Gordon Cobden''' (11 August 1914 - 11 August 1940) was a [[New Zealand]] [[All Blacks|All Black]] rugby player, No 430 in 1937. He was a wing.
'''Donald Gordon Cobden''' (11 August 1914 – 11 August 1940) was a New Zealand [[New Zealand national rugby union team|All Black]] rugby player, No 430 in 1937. 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.
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 RAF and the Barbarians.
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 RAF and the Barbarians.


He was posted to [[No. 74 Squadron RAF]], which was flying Spitfires from [[RAF Hornchurch]] in Essex during the [[Battle of France]] and then the [[Battle of Britain]]. On 11 August 1940, he was despatched with members of [[No. 76 Squadron RAF|76 Squadron]] to protect a convoy, and they engaged a large group of Messerschmitt BF 110s about 10 miles off the coast of Harwich. He was last seen attacking a number of enemy aircraft, and failed to return. He was posted missing - on his 26th birthday.
He was posted to [[No. 74 Squadron RAF]], which was flying Spitfires from [[RAF Hornchurch]] in Essex during the [[Battle of France]] and then the [[Battle of Britain]]. On 11 August 1940, he was despatched with members of [[No. 76 Squadron RAF|76 Squadron]] to protect a convoy, and they engaged a large group of Messerschmitt BF 110s about 10 miles off the coast of Harwich. 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.<ref>{{cite web|author=Reading Room Manchester |url=http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2081892/COBDEN,%20DONALD%20GORDON |title=Casualty Details |publisher=CWGC |accessdate=2014-05-31}}</ref>


He was born in Christchurch and educated at [[Christchurch Boys' High School]]. His brother Alf was also killed; in North Africa in 1942 while with the [[New Zealand Army]].
He was born in Christchurch and educated at [[Christchurch Boys' High School]]. His brother [[Alfred Cobden|Alfred]], a professional cricketer, was killed in North Africa in 1942 while with the [[New Zealand Army]].


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
⚫
*''Gone But Not Forgotten: The Commemoration of Rugby Players Who Died in the Two World Wars'' [[Commonwealth War Graves Commission]], pamphlet c2002.

⚫
*''Gone But Not Forgotten: The Commemoration of Rugby Players Who Died in the Two World Wars'' [[Commonwealth War Graves Commission]], pamphlet c2002.


==External links==
==External links==
*{{All Blacks|156}}
*{{All Blacks|156}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->

| NAME = Cobden, Donald
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cobden, Donald}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cobden, Donald}}
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:1940 deaths]]
[[Category:1940 deaths]]
[[Category:New Zealand international rugby union players]]
[[Category:New Zealand international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Former students of Christchurch Boys' High School]]
[[Category:People educated at Christchurch Boys' High School]]
[[Category:New Zealand military personnel killed in World War II]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force personnel killed in World War II]]
[[Category:New Zealand rugby union players]]
[[Category:New Zealand rugby union players]]
[[Category:People from Christchurch]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Christchurch]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force pilots of World War II]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Missing in action of World War II]]
[[Category:Rugby union wings]]

Latest revision as of 05:19, 27 March 2022

Donald Cobden
Cobden in 1937
Birth nameDonald Gordon Cobden
Date of birth(1914-08-11)11 August 1914
Place of birthChristchurch
Date of death11 August 1940(1940-08-11) (aged 26)
Place of deathEnglish Channel
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight84 kg (185 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1937 New Zealand 1 (0)

Donald Gordon Cobden (11 August 1914 – 11 August 1940) was a New Zealand All Black rugby player, No 430 in 1937. 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 RAF and the Barbarians.

He was posted to No. 74 Squadron RAF, which was flying Spitfires from RAF Hornchurch in Essex during the Battle of France and then the Battle of Britain. 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. 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.[1]

He was born in Christchurch and educated at Christchurch Boys' High School. His brother Alfred, a professional cricketer, was killed in North Africa in 1942 while with the New Zealand Army.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Reading Room Manchester. "Casualty Details". CWGC. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
[edit]
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