#1010, Edward Charles Strode COBBOLD

Born	1994 in Plymouth, Devon.
Died	?
Occupation	Naval Engineering Officer in the Royal Australian Navy
Education	Eltham College and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

Father	Charles Russell Hope COBBOLD (1957 - ?)
Mother	Catherine (Kate) Elizabeth HENRY (1961 - ?)

After Eltham College Edward joined the Royal Australian Navy and went up to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology to read Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronic Engineering (2014-2018). In the summer of 2018 he will be promoted to Sublieutenant and become a Weapon Electrical Engineering Officer (WEEO).

He plays Hockey and has a wide taste in Music.

Edward is now (2018) a Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy and the holder of First Class Honours from his Mechatronics Degree.

In the summer of 2018 he will be promoted to Sublieutenant and become a Weapon Electrical Engineering Officer (WEEO). 2019 - Edward went to sea on the most modern ship in the RAN as a commissioned officer responsible for 'everything on the ship that makes it a warship'. This first voyage was to 'calibrate' her defense weapons system so their first port of call was California where the system was designed.

In summer 2024 Edward went to sea for 5 months on HMAS Sydney (V), the last of three ships of the Hobart Class guided missile destroyers (DDG).  The Hobart Class provides air defence for accompanying ships, land forces and infrastructure in coastal areas, and for self-protection against missiles and aircraft. The Aegis Combat System incorporating the state-of-the-art phased array radar and the SM-2 missile provides an advanced air defence system capable of engaging enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150km.

In 2025 he is promoted to Lt. Commander as Hobart Class Destroyer Combat Systems Engineer.  In late 2025 Edward was awarded a Gold Level Commendation, presented to him by the Head of the Royal Australian Navy.

2026 sees Edward posted to Glasgow, Scotland.

Following his gold level commendation the Royal Australian Navy published his official biography and precis biography:

LCDR Edward Cobbold Biography

LCDR Cobbold joined the RAN in 2015 under the Undergraduate Entry Officer scheme. He studied at RMIT University, Melbourne, and graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Engineering – Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics (Honours First Class).

In 2019 he posted to the newly commissioned HMAS Brisbane as the AWEEO. During this period, he conducted Combat System Ship Qualification Trials for the Aegis Weapon System, including extensive guided missile firings and gunnery exercises. Promoted to LEUT in 2020, he attained his WECC (Weapons Electrical Certification of Competence), and was recognised for his performance on Brisbane through award of a Commanding Officer Commendation.

On posting to Canberra, LEUT Cobbold supported weapon system acquisition and strategic planning, including engagement for cross-platform weapon system solutions for the Hunter Class Frigate. In 2022, he returned to the waterfront on posting to the Destroyer Group as the Assistant CLEO (Class Lifecycle Engineer Officer), for which he was presented with a Destroyer Enterprise Commendation.

In 2023, he commenced as the DWEEO of HMAS Sydney, achieving his WECQ (Weapons Electrical Charge Qualification) in 2024. Of significance during this period, LEUT Cobbold led the on-board introduction of the Enhanced Surface Combatant Lethality capabilities for Sydney, including the NSM (Naval Strike Missile) and SM-6. Sydney’s performance during her Interoperability Deployment and First of Navy firings earned her Ship’s Company the honour of the Gloucester Cup for 2024.

In 2025 and on promotion, LCDR Cobbold posted to Adelaide as the DDG Combat System Engineer and Aegis Shipyard Liaison – focusing on Aegis Computer Program development for the Hobart Class and Hunter Class, in addition to leading the Aegis integration of the Australian Interface Combat Management System for both Surface Combatants.

In October 2025, LCDR Cobbold was awarded a Navy Gold Commendation from the Chief of Navy for exemplary performance as the HMAS Sydney Deputy Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer, in coordinating the first of Navy installation, set to work and blast test vehicle firing of the Naval Strike Missile.

LCDR Cobbold has recently been selected to represent the Royal Australian Navy within the Global Combat Ship (GCS) program, based in Glasgow, United Kingdom. He will be departing in January 2026, accompanied by his partner Lauren and their enormous dog Bailey.

Service Biography Precis

Jan 2015 – Joined the RAN through the Undergraduate Entry Officer scheme

Jul 2018 – Graduated RMIT University, Melbourne. Bachelor of Engineering – Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics (Honours First Class).

Jul 2018 - Jul 2019 – NEOC and EOAC/WEACC

Jul 2019 - Sep 2020 – AWEEO HMAS Brisbane. US CSSQTS, PDU. Commanding Officer Commendation

Sep 2020 - PQ Attained / WEE CC

Oct 2020 - Dec 2021 – Weapon Systems Deputy Strategic Product Coordinator, CMPS/MIWS

Jan 2022 - May 2023 – S03 Lifecycle Engineer / DDG CLEO-A, DESGRP. Destroyer Enterprise Commendation

May 2023 - Jan 2025 – DWEEO HMAS Sydney. Interoperability deployment, RIMPAC/PACDRAGON, OP ARGOS/SAVILLE, First of Navy NSM and SM-6 firings, Gloucester Cup, Navy Gold Commendation

May 2024 – CQ Attained / WEE CQ

Jan 25 – Present – DDG Combat System Engineer, Aegis Shipyard Liaison, Australian Surface Combatant Aegis Program, MIWS