COOMBES, L/CPL. A.G. ‘GEORGE’ Reg. # B 161986
No.1 C.E.R.U. Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Unit
Canadian Army Overseas
Arthur George Coombes was born June 17, 1919 in Chapman Twp. To William Charles and Alice (Snuggs) Coombes.
Arthur George Coombes (last name is spelled with ‘es’ on the end not just an ‘s’).
Arthur George Coombes volunteered for service in the Royal Canadian Army. Signing up in North Bay and did the 30 day compulsory training.
It appears that in October 1944 he was sent to Chilliwack B.C for training and qualified as a motorcycle soloist. He served as a Royal Canadian Engineer (a Sapper) serving 15 months overseas in Germany, France, Holland and Africa and 10 months in Canada.
Arthur never really spoke of who he served with. He did have some stories he talked of building Bailey bridges and being called "eggshell Coombes" for his light touch with land mines and explosives.
He told a story of seeing a young man and asking him where he was from and he said Maple Island. That young man was George Butler.
He also said he was in a convoy on his motorcycle driving through the mountains and it was so dusty he ran off the road. I guess they said Coombes is gone because he wasnt there when they got back to their base, then
he ended up walking in at supper time.
George’s medals and hat pin are shown.