Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Henry McCombs, known as William, was born in 1888 at Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, the only son of Samuel McCombs and Isabella Bambrough natives of Felling born 1861 and 1859 respectively, he also had a sister Charlotte born in 1891. His parents were married in the district of Gateshead in 1887 and set up home at 36, Gosforth Street, Felling, Samuel McCombs was a mattress maker and a workman caller. At the age of 41 his father was blind but was still employed as a caller for the colliery sometimes known as a “knocker upper”, to ensure that the deputies and the hewers were on time for their shift. When he died in 1902 William was 13 years old and Charlotte 11, she was married at Gateshead in 1909 to Michael Boynes. By 1911 William’s mother was living as a lodger at 32, Frank Street with John and Florence Moore whilst William (23), employed as a miner shift worker was lodging with Henry and Janet Alston at Forster’s Yard, Prudhoe-on-Tyne, Northumberland.
William enlisted at Prudhoe on the outbreak of was assigned as Private 2026 Northumberland Fusiliers, 4th Battalion of the Territorial Force with its HQ at The Armoury, Battle Hill, Hexham. They were initially deployed in a home defensive role but in November 1914 were divided into two, the 1st/4th and 2nd/4th Reserve Battalions. Private McCombes was transferred to the 1st/4th training for service overseas, He departed to France April 25th 1915 with his regiment to join the 149th Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division in the field. They arrived at Boulogne and marched to St Martin Rest Camp to the west of the town. Having moved to Oudezeele, by the 22nd, news arrived of the German attack at Langemarck and they were ordered to Belgium where they participated during the 2nd Battle of Ypres, April 22nd-May 25th 1916 before moving south to the Somme. They did not see any major front line action until the Battle of Morval, September 15th-22nd 1916 where the Division captured Martinpuich.
Private William Henry McCombes was killed in action on the first day of battle September 15th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72, 256 names of servicemen from Britain and South Africa inscribed on the Thiepval memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating those who died on the Somme 1915-1918 who have no known grave. He was 28 years old.
Although Williams mother was still alive and living at 12, Stephenson Terrace, Felling he had nominated his landlady Mrs Janet Alston as his sole beneficiary entitling her to receive all monies due to him by the Army and his personal effects. Awards; 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His mother Isabella McCombes nee Bambrough died aged 79 years in 1938, his sister Charlotte Boynes nee McCombes in 1968 aged 77 years, both registered in the district of Gateshead, County Durham.
The CWGC has in error stated Private McCombes was 38 years old.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 13/10/1916:
“Private William McCombes, killed in action on Sept. 15th (late of Felling). Son of the late Samuel and Isabella McCombes.”
William McCombes is remembered as W. McComb at Gateshead in G39.004
