Stalbridge Remembers
FRANCIS COOMBS
Private 24562
1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment
formerly Private 22186
Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
Killed in action Saturday 23rd February 1918
Aged 31
His grave No. XXXI.C.4. is in
NEW IRISH FARM CEMETERY, IEPER,
WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.
Son of William and Hannah Coombs of Waterloo Lane, Stalbridge
Personal details:
Born at Bagber in 1886, his full name was Francis Philip. He had an older brother Maurice and a younger sister Ida. His father was a blacksmith and his brother a railway platelayer. The 1911 Census shows him as a road labourer, and the family name as Coombes. When Francis enlisted at Sturminster Newton in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry is not known, nor the date of his transfer to the 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. As he was not awarded the 1914-1915 Star he did not see service in a theatre of war until 1916.
Born at Bagber in 1886, his full name was Francis Philip. He had an older brother Maurice and a younger sister Ida. His father was a blacksmith and his brother a railway platelayer. The 1911 Census shows him as a road labourer, and the family name as Coombes. When Francis enlisted at Sturminster Newton in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry is not known, nor the date of his transfer to the 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. As he was not awarded the 1914-1915 Star he did not see service in a theatre of war until 1916.
Military details:
The 1st Battalion landed in France in August 1914, and by January 1916 had transferred to 14 Brigade in 32 Division. Towards the end of 1917 the Battalion was in action at Neuville, Ypres and Passchendaele, being relieved from there on 27th December. After 3 weeks rest at Nielles les Ardres the Battalion returned to Ypres. Francis Coombs was killed on the day the Battalion moved up from the Canal Bank, where they had been in reserve, to the line in preparation for a raid on Surcouf Farm planned for 27th February.
The 1st Battalion landed in France in August 1914, and by January 1916 had transferred to 14 Brigade in 32 Division. Towards the end of 1917 the Battalion was in action at Neuville, Ypres and Passchendaele, being relieved from there on 27th December. After 3 weeks rest at Nielles les Ardres the Battalion returned to Ypres. Francis Coombs was killed on the day the Battalion moved up from the Canal Bank, where they had been in reserve, to the line in preparation for a raid on Surcouf Farm planned for 27th February.
Francis Coombs' grave
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New Irish Farm Cemetery, leper
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