Significance
Criterion AThe place is important in demonstrating the evolution or pattern of Queensland’s history.
Trooper Cobb's Grave, Toowong is significant historically as the only known grave in Queensland of a mortally wounded South African War soldier. It is a rare Queensland South African War memorial, and a unique source of historical information.
Criterion BThe place demonstrates rare, uncommon or endangered aspects of Queensland’s cultural heritage.
Trooper Cobb's Grave, Toowong is significant historically as the only known grave in Queensland of a mortally wounded South African War soldier. It is a rare Queensland South African War memorial, and a unique source of historical information.
History
This memorial was erected in 1901 in Toowong Cemetery, over the grave of Trooper John Cobb of the 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry, who died in July 1901 a few days after returning to Australia from active service in South Africa. He was 44 years old.
Cobb had seen action at Elands River and Rhenoster Kop in South Africa. Like all Australian troops participating in the South African [Boer] War of 1899-1902, Cobb was a volunteer.
His grave is the only known South African War soldier's grave in Queensland. The memorial was constructed by the prominent monumental mason Andrew Petrie and erected by Cobb's relatives.
Description
The gravestone is a sarcophagus of Helidon sandstone, 1.9 metres long and a metre wide.
On the top, carved in sandstone, are a rifle, hat with emu plume and badge, and a bandolier, the equipment of soldiers in the South African War. A marble plate also rests on the top, bearing an inscription in leaded letters.
The sarcophagus is enclosed by a substantial concrete wall with sandstone coping, pallstones and low iron railings. The grave had suffered from neglect but has been tidied recently. However, little of the inscription lettering survives.
