John Langhorn Coombs
Surname: Coombs
Other names: John Langhorn
Locations in this story: Berwick St. John, WiltshireTollard Farm, Tollard Royal, WiltshireFrance & FlandersSalisbury, WiltshireBirmingham, Warwickshire
Story: John Langhorn Coombs (same names as his father) was born on 12th May 1894 at Berwick St. John, Wiltshire, the son of John Langhorn Coombs and Amelia Coombs (née Clarke). He spent all his civilian life in and around Berwick St. John and Tollard Royal, Wiltshire. He enlisted on 4th February 1915 and joined the Public Schools Battalion of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment rising to the rank of Lance Corporal (Service No. 1558). He served in France and Flanders from 17 Nov 1915 and was awarded the Military Medal in accordance with the Special Army Order dated 14th August 1917. He also received the King's Certificate No. 10642 dated 7th September 1917. He was discharged on 12th Feb 1919 and further awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star. The 1921 Census shows him living with his parents in Tollard Royal assisting his father of the Farm.
His brother, Reginald James (b.1895) had also served and been wounded in the conflict, dying in 1926. John went on to marry his Reginald's widow, Annie Amelia Hart (Coombs), in Birmingham, Warwickshire, in 1928 and they had two children. Another brother, Leonard (b.1899) also served in the war, with The Hussars and the Tank Corps.
By the 1939 Register John was living at Tollard Farm, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, and described as a Dairy and Corn Farmer as well as a Special Constable. His death is recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, District Registry on 20 Sep 1967 and he was buried at Tollard Royal.
His brother, Reginald James (b.1895) had also served and been wounded in the conflict, dying in 1926. John went on to marry his Reginald's widow, Annie Amelia Hart (Coombs), in Birmingham, Warwickshire, in 1928 and they had two children. Another brother, Leonard (b.1899) also served in the war, with The Hussars and the Tank Corps.
By the 1939 Register John was living at Tollard Farm, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire, and described as a Dairy and Corn Farmer as well as a Special Constable. His death is recorded at the Salisbury, Wiltshire, District Registry on 20 Sep 1967 and he was buried at Tollard Royal.
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