Henry George Coombs

Story:
Henry George Coombs was born at Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 17 Nov 1892 the son of William Stephen Coombs and Susannah Coombs (nee Still).  He lived much of his early life at Hampton Gate, Bedchester, Shaftesbury, Dorset.   He enlisted on 11 Dec 1915 but was not mobilised until 8 Feb 1916 and served with the Devonshire Regiment as a Private (Service Nos. 211487 & 23990).  He was later transferred to the East Lancashire Regiment (Service No. 33293).  He served in France and Flanders and was eventually discharged on 27 Sep 1919.  He qualified for the Victory and British War Medals.  His marriage to Lilian Mabel Tuffin was registered in Bournemouth, Hampshire, in 1935.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 8 Hazell Avenue, Bournemouth, Hampshire, working as a Nursery Gardener.  He died in Bournemouth in 1980.  His brother, Frederick Thomas Coombs, also served in the conflict.