Edwin Coombs

Story:
Edwin Coombs was born in Fovant, Wiltshire, on 19 Mar 1886 and baptised there on 2 May 1886 the son of Frank Coombs and Sarah Ann Coombs (nee Aldridge).  By 1901  the family had moved to Dinton Road, Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, but by 1911 Edwin was boarding out in Redbourne Hertfordshire, working as a Road Roller Driver.   He had enlisted with the Territorial Section of the Royal Engineers as a Sapper (Service No. T/3079).  It is not known in which theatre of war he served but had transferred to the regular forces with Service No. 550797.  On his discharge on 18 Mar 1919 he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.  His marriage to Kate Matilda Mills was registered in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, during 1919. The 1921 Census shows he was living in Beresford Road, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, working as a Steam Wagon Driver for the Herts County Council.  By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to 32 Colney Hatch Lane, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, still working as a Steam Wagon Driver.  He died at the St. Albans City Hospital on 18 Nov 1956.  His brother, Frank Ralph Coombs, also served in the conflict but regrettably was killed at Gallipoli.