Private James Thomas Kobus
PERSONAL INFORMATION
MILITARY INFORMATION
- Private (Army).
- Private, 38th Battalion, Infantry (Army).
Distinguished Conduct Medal (Capture of Vimy Ridge)
RESEARCH INFORMATION
Reverse side of Attestation Paper is not available on LAC.
Died in Victoria Hospital, Renfrew, Ontario of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Sep 16, 1925. His occupation was recorded as a clerk in a General Store.
Private Kobus was an orderly in the 38th Battalion serving as a runner at the time of the capture of Vimy Ridge on April 9th, 1917. He and Private Arthur James Hay assisted Captain (later Major) Thain Wendell MacDowell bluff 75 German soldiers and 2 officers into surrendering when Captain MacDowell entered their large dugout. Captain MacDowell was awarded the Victoria Cross while Kobus and Hay each received the Distinquished Conduct Medal (DCM.)
War diary Battle Reports, April 9th, 1917:
Description of event for which he received DCM - 8:00 a.m. Report from dugout - 10:30 a.m.Details of the dugout he and Privates James Thomas Kobus and Arthur James Hay captured - 2:45 p.m.
[Private Army Canadian Infantry 130th Battalion Private Army Canadian Infantry 38th Battalion Distinguished Conduct Medal Capture of Vimy Ridge ]