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Eric Thomas Cosby was born on 1st November 1916 and joined the RAFVR in May 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He began his weekend flying at 8 E&RFTS Reading, continuing later at 3 E&RFTS Hamble.
Called to full-time service at the outbreak of war, Cosby was posted to 3 ITW Hastings on 20th November 1939, moved on to 10 FTS Ternhill on 6th March 1940 and finished his course there on 14th June.
Cosby then went to 5 OTU Aston Down, converted to Hurricanes and joined 3 Squadron at Wick on 31st July. He moved to 615 Squadron at Northolt on 14th October. He destroyed a Me109 and damaged a Ju88 on the 29th.
Cosby was posted away to CFS Upavon on 29th December 1940 for an instructors course. He went to RAF Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on 2nd July 1941, remaining there until 21st November 1942, when he was posted back to the UK.
From 28th January 1942 Cosby instructed at 3(P) AFU Lulsgate Bottom, 62 OTU and 12(P) AFU Grantham.
On 3rd August 1943 he went to 60 OTU High Ercall for conversion to night intruder Mosquitos. Commissioned in September, Cosby joined 605 Squadron at Bradwell Bay on 2nd November. He flew with the squadron until 14th July 1944, returning then to 60 OTU as an instructor, moving on 4th September to 54 OTU Charter Hall.
Cosby was released from the RAF on 28th October 1945.
He rejoined in September 1949 and retired on 3rd March 1967 as a Flight Lieutenant.
Cosby died on 26th April 1978.
He was the elder brother of I H Cosby, who flew in the Battle with 610, 72 and 222 Squadrons.
