Gerard Francis Cobb

Gerard Francis Cobb (Nettlestead, Kent, 15 October 1838 – 31 March 1904) was Junior Bursar of Trinity College, Cambridge. He was active as an Anglican layman, organist and amateur composer.

Life

He was the fourth son of William Francis Cobb, rector of Nettlestead, Kent, and was educated at Marlborough College. He matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge in 1857, graduating B.A. in 1861 and M.A. in 1864. He died in Cambridge on 31 March 1904.

Music

Cobb is best remembered for his hymns and settings of Rudyard Kipling's Barrack-Room Ballads. The poems set by Cobb include "To T. A." (1892), "The Young British Soldier" Op. 24 No. 1, "Mandalay", "Route Marchin’" "Soldier, Soldier", "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" Op. 24 No. 5 (1892) "Troopin’", "Ford o' Kabul River" Op. 26 No. 2 (1893) "Danny Deever", "Shillin’ a Day" "Cells", "Belts Op. 29 No. 1" "The Widow’s Party", "Screw-Guns", "Gunga Din" Op. 29 No. 4, "Oonts" Op. 29 No. 5, "Snarleyow" Op. 29 No. 6, "For to Admire", "Back to the Army Again", and "Tommy".

These songs were recorded by Ralph Meanley (baritone) and David Mackie (piano) for Campion in 2007. A smaller selection including "Lichtenberg" (1904), was recorded by Michael Halliwell (baritone), David Miller (piano) for ABC Classics, Australia.

Family

Cobb married in 1893 Elizabeth Lucy, daughter of John Welchman Whateley, of Birmingham and widow of Stephen Parkinson, tutor of St. John's College, Cambridge; she survived him without issue. He gave up his posts at Trinity on marrying.