William Charles Coombs
Memorial: Downend - Christ Church
Regiment: Royal Air Force
Medals: Next of Kin Memorial Plaque 1914 - 1921
Rank and number: Private 2nd Class 263327
Parents: John and Catherine Coombs
Marital status: Married
Home address: Home Address: 19 Broad Street, Staple Hill, Bristol. Lived: 106 Graham Road, Southampton (1901 Census, boarder with Marsden family)
Pre-war occupation: Baker and Confectioner
Date of birth: 25/08/1879
Place of birth: Heytesbury, Wiltshire
Date of death: 09/07/1918
Buried/Commemorated at: Greenbank Cemetery, Bristol
Age: 38
Further information:
William was married to Katie or Kate (nee Marsden).
According to his service sheet, William joined the RAF on 2/7/1918 and died a week later (cause unknown). He may have served in the army prior to this, but the evidence is inconclusive. He died from Pneumonia contracted on active service. Medals may have been awarded for service prior to joining the RAF, but this has not been confirmed.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Findmypast (Soldiers Died during the Great War, 1901 & 1911 Census etc), Researcher John Davis.