Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harry Heywood Coombe, born 10th of October 1880, lived in Gawler and Goodwood South Australia and attending Gawler Primary School. Harry was the son of Ephraim Henry Coombe, who was a very successful and well-known man around Gawler, leaving a statue in the town in his honour. In his mid-thirties, Harry worked in Mechanical Engineering and soon enlisted on the 1st of October, as a Second Lieutenant serving Australia in the First World War in 1915, age 36. 

Lieutenant Combe embarked in Melbourne for service overseas on HMAT Nestor. He organised and helped many in the war, and was killed in action, in France, age 37 on 23rd August 1918. His body was not recovered. Sadly, he was killed only three days after reaching his unit.

During Harry’s short life, he achieved many things, including marrying his love, Margaret Florence McCleod.

Margaret was born on the 17th of May 1879 and grew up in Grace Plains. Margaret married Harry in December 1900 at Port Wakefield. They lived their lives together for many years and had two sons, Alic and Stuart when they were 22 and 21 years of age. They lived on Alexander Avenue, Millswood (picture to the right). Margaret lived many years without Harry, sadly passing at age 85 in 1964.

Margret and Harry’s first child, Alic Ephraim Coombe was born in April 1902 and grew to live a long-life marring Bertha May Crossing in Broken Hill. Bertha passed in 1981 age 78, and Alic died in 1987, age 85. Alic’s grave is located in Payneham, South Australia.

Alic’s brother/second child, Stuart John Fraser was born in 1903, and married Ethel Mary Fiveash in 1926, also in Broken Hill. They both grew to have one son, Harry John Coombe. Stuart died in 1972, age 69, his grave unkown. Ethel passed in 1997, age 88.

Harry John Coombe grew to have 3 children and 6 grand/great-grandchildren.

Harry Heywood inspired so many people and passed down lives that will be remembered forever.

Harry’s Grave is Located in France, Villers-Bretonneux. You can find Harry’s memorials at;

·       National War Memorial of Australia Canberra

·       Adelaide National Memorial

·       Gawler Council Memorial

"...2nd Lieutenant Harry Heywood Coombe, 10th Battalion. A mechanical engineer from Goodwood, SA, 2 Lt Coombe originally enllisted and was taken on strength of the 10th Battalion in December 1915, and on 1 October 1916 received his officer's commission. On 28 February 1918, 2 Lt Coombe embarked from Melbourne for service overseas on HMAT Nestor. 2 Lt Coombe was killed in action near Corbie, France, on 23 August 1918; he was 37 years old." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

Son of Ephraim Henry and Sarah Susannah Coombe (nee Heywood). Harry married Margaret Florence McLeod on 27 December 1900 in the Methodist Parsonage at Port Wakefield. Father of Alick Ephraim Coombe and Stuart John Fraser Coombe.

Lieutenant HARRY HEYWOOD COOMBE, who was killed in action on August 23, in France, was the eldest son of the late Mr. E. H. Coombe, M.P. Lieutenant Coombe, a married man, with two sons, heard the call of his country in December, 1915, and was sent to Duntroon College to pass his examinations for a commission. He returned to Adelaide, and sailed on February 25 last. Lieutenant Coombe was born in Gawler in 1880, and learnt his trade as fitter and turner at May's works. He married Margaret, third daughter of Mrs. John McLeod, of Balaklava. After working for four or five years at Broken Hill he entered the Government Loco. sheds at Port Wakefield. He was a municipal councillor for four years, and was active in lodge pubiic, and sporting bodies. The family had a splendid farewell on  the eve of their removal to Adelaide. Whilst Lieutenant Coombe was in camp he heard of the tragic end of his father, and he immediately assumed control of all mortuary requirements, thus lifting a great burden off his mother's shoulders. So honorably had he performed life's duties that he was selected on a plebiscite as a worthy successor to his father in political affairs. He went fearlessly to do the duty he  believed his country required of him, and his name is enrolled with those of other brave men, who sacrificed their all, that Australia might be free.