Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Cobley a framework knitter, born 1865 in Smeeton Westerby, Leics., and his wife Ada, born 1870 in Kibworth, Leics. James Leonard Graham was born in 1896 in Smeeton Westerby, Leics., he had one sibling, a sister Doris, born 1895 in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Smeeton Westerby, Leics. In April 1911 James was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing at Smeeton Westerby, Leics., this being the family home of his widowed paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Cobley, born 1827 in Great Glen, Leics., also residing in the family home was his father, now a labourer and his paternal uncle, Tom Cobley, born 1866 in Smeeton Westerby, Leics. On Tuesday February 20th 1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. COBLEY.- In loving memory of Lance-Corpl. Jas. Leonard Cobley, who was killed in action 20th February 1916. Sleep on, dear son, and take thy rest. They miss you most who loved you best. Mother. The War Diary for today records. Quiet day except for about 30 Turkish shells fired along our communication trenches in the afternoon. At night Battn marked out and dug 340 yards of trench from the right of ADVANCE trench northwards. Enemy snipers active, 1 NCO killed and 2 NCO’s wounded.