The “Big Push” of 1915 attempting to break through the German lines was a combined autumn offensive by French and British Troops. The British attacked on a 6 mile wide front near the town of Loos (Loos-en-Gohelle) in France from which the battle took its name.
(Picture courtesy of Andrew Cobbold – The Cobbold Family History Trust)
Further to the north, in Belgium, the 3rd Division launched a diversionary attack at Bellewaerde on the Ypres Salient, officially designated the “Second Attack on Bellewaerde”. The first attack, on the 16th June 1915, had also been carried out by the 3rd Division. The attack on the 25th September, which involved 3rd Division and 14th (Light) Division, was intended to prevent German reserves from the Salient going to reinforce their lines at Loos when the main offensive was launched.
Rowland was one of the members of the famous Ipswich brewing dynasty and his family lived in Bramford House, Ship Lane. His father was Clerk of the Peace, and Clerk to both East and West Suffolk County Councils. Rowland obtained a temporary commission after leaving his job in Argentina at the outbreak of war. It’s not known when he crossed to France to join his unit but his commission was “Gazetted” (London Gazette) on 24th March 1915.
He died on the 25th September, the first day of the battle, and is buried in the Brandhoek Military Cemetery.
We do not know how 2nd Lt. Cobbold was killed but he was acting as a Forward Observation Officer and as such would have been situated in the front line trenches. His job was to spot where the shells from his battery fell and relaying messages back.
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