Prisoner of War survivor Leslie dies

A Halifax veteran who was held as a Japanese prisoner of war for three-and-a-half years has died.
Leslie CobbLeslie Cobb
Leslie Cobb

Leslie Cobb, 95, died peacefully in his sleep at Holly Bank Care Home. Mr Cobb, born in Lee Mount, was one of tens of thousands of allied troops captured in Singapore in World War Two.

He had joined the Territorial Army in 1938 and was with 278 Field Battery (Royal Artillery Territorial Army) and his unit was kept in the UK as the prospect of an invasion loomed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was eventually among troops deployed to Singapore over Christmas and New Year 1941/42. After the fall of Singapore in 1942, Mr Cobb was sent to Korea for several months before arriving in Kobe, Japan.

After being released, Mr Cobb, still in his 20s, began to rebuild his life in Halifax. He was a service manager for Halifax radio and TV retailers Pohlmann and Sons until 1970. He also taught electronics at Percival Whitley College and from 1954 to 1964, taught maths at Haugh Shaw Secondary School.

In 1988, he was awarded the BEM for 40 years’ service in the Air Training Corps with 250 (Halifax) Squadron. Mr Cobb never married and did not have any children.

His funeral will be held on March 29, 1.30pm at Park Wood Crematorium, with a wake at Tower House, Pye Nest.

Related topics: