Newbridge War Memorial

Remembering the Fallen

Thomas George Coombs

6th South Wales Borderers

Unit/Regiment South Wales Borderers
Battalion 6th
Rank Private
Service Number 17288
Theatre of War first served in (1) France
Date of entry therein 24/09/1915
Age at Death 21
Date of Death 11/08/1917
Burial/Memorial Reference The Huts Cemetery
CWGC Family Details Son of Thomas and Susan Coombs, of 8, Bryn Howard Terrace, Oakdale, Blackwood, Mon. Native of Crumlin, Newport, Mon.
SDGW – Where Born Mynyddislwyn, Mon
Enlisted Newport, Mon
Resided Newbridge Mon
How Died Killed in action
Theatre of War Western European Theatre
Medal Entitlement 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Notes Commemorated on the Celynen Collieries Roll of Honour

Thomas George Coombs' Story

South Wales Borderers cap badge

Family

Thomas George Coombs was born in Crumlin, Mon. in 1896 to Thomas and Susan Ellen (nee Bradford) Coombs.

The 1901 Census records the family as Thomas, Susan Ellen and their five children: Lillian Mary (7), William John (6), Thomas George (4), Christopher Robert (3) and 3 month old Reginald Alfred. At the time of the census they also had a visitor, Bertha Bradford, who was the younger sister of Susan Ellen. The family home was Pentwyn Cottage in Newbridge which only had three rooms and so must have been quite a squeeze for eight occupants. In common with most of the residents of the area, Thomas George’s father was working as a Coal Miner Hewer.

The 1911 Census sees young Thomas George Coombs as a fourteen year old Coal Miner Hewer who is still living at the family home which is now Ty Nancy(?) cottage, Old Cwmdows, Newbridge. Thomas and Susan Ellen have added three more children to their family since 1901, they now have Elsie Berthina (7), Irenie (2) and Aiden (5 months) in addition to Lillian Mary (17), William John (16), Thomas George (14), Christopher Robert (13) and Reginald Alfred (10). By 1911 Thomas (senior) has left the colliery and has set himself up as a greengrocer but his three eldest sons William, Thomas and Christopher are all working underground as coal miners.

Military