John McCombe was the oldest son of Robert and Jane McCombe. He was born at Tullycorker, Clogher on 4th February 1879. He was one of four known children, all born in the Clogher area. They were a farming family. John emigrated to Canada around 1908, where he settled in London, Ontario, where his uncle lived. Prior to enlisting, he had worked as a clerk with Scandrett Brothers. Corporal John Robert McCombe was serving with the 18th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he was killed in action on 15th September 1916. He had initially been reported missing. His unit were involved in an attack south of Courcelette at the time.
Further Information
John Robert McCombe was the oldest son of Robert and Jane McCombe. Robert McCombe and Jane Cooke were married on 24th March 1872 in the district of Omagh.
John McCombe was born at Tullycorker, Clogher on 4th February 1879. He was one of four known children, all born in the Clogher area.
Known family: Robert McCombe, Jane McCombe, Anne McCombe (born 3rd April 1873), John Robert McCombe (born 4th February 1879), Alexander McCombe (born 26th May 1882), Margaret S McCombe (born 12th September 1886).
The 1901 census does not list John as living with the family at house 2 in Tullycorker, Cecil, County Tyrone. His father was a farmer.
John emigrated to Canada around 1908, where he settled in London, Ontario.
Private McCombe was a member of a member of Nassau Lodge L.O.L. No 2170 and of , and of the Inniskillings Black Preceptory.
Prior to enlisting, he had worked as a clerk with Scandrett Brothers, a wholesale grocer based in London, Ontario. He lived with his uncle. Joseph Carson, at 689 Colborne Street, London.
1914
John enlisted on 2nd November 1914 at London, Ontario. He named his mother has his next of kin
1915
1916
Corporal John Robert McCombe was serving with the 18th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment) when he died on 15th September 1916. He had initially been reported missing. His unit were involved in an attack south of Courcelette at the time.
The Canadian Circumstances of Death Register records that Corporal McCombe was killed in action on 15th September 1916. He had initially been reported missing. His unit were involved in an attack south of Courcelette at the time.
Canadian Newspapers
From the Christmas Echo (Ontario) dated December 1916: Killed in Action
Corporal J R McCombe, reported to have made the supreme sacrifice for the empire, went overseas with the 18th Battalion. Previous to enlisting, he resided with his uncle. Joseph Carson, 689 Colborne Street. Private McCombe was a member of Nassau Lodge L.O.L.
From the London Advertiser (London, Ontario), unknown date: London Boy Killed in Action, Enlisted in 33rd Battalion
Although the Canadians have been moved back from the front line, casualty reports continue to come through. Joseph Carson, of 689 Colborne Street, was officially notified this morning that his son, Private Andrew James Carson, was killed in action on 21st November. Private Carson enlisted a year ago with the 33rd Battalion, but on his arrival in England was transferred to another battalion. He was 22 years old and before enlisting, was employed by the C S Hyman Company. Private Carson is survived by his father, two brothers, Joseph William and Robert J, and one sister, Sydney Margaret, all of this city. He was a member of Hackett Lodge L.O.L. No. 805, and of St Paul’s Cathedral. He was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. Corporal J R McCombe, who resided with the Carson family prior to the war, and was killed in action two months ago, was a cousin. An uncle and another cousin are fighting with the 9th Inniskillings.
From an unknown Canadian newspaper: Lived Here Some Years Before His Enlistment
Private John McCombe, reported wounded, was Irish by birth. Private John R McCombe, reported in the casualty lists yesterday as having been wounded in action, was a resident of London for some years before he enlisted, and has two cousins in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, as well as a brother serving in the imperial forces. He was an employee of Scandrett Brothers, wholesale grocers. In London, he made his home with an uncle at 689 Colborne Street. One of his cousins, Private Andrew James Carson, is serving as a bomb thrower with the 1st Canadian Battalion. Another, Sapper Robert J Carson, is with the overseas draft of the Canadian engineers, now training in this city. Joseph W Carson, a third cousin, is employed at Scandrett’s now. Private McCombe was a member of Nassau Lodge L.O.L. No 2170, and of the Inniskillings Black Preceptory. He came from his home, County Tyrone, Ireland, some eight years ago, and had been resident in London and district ever since. A brother, Private Alex McCombe, iss now serving with the 9th Inniskilling Fusiliers, in the imperial service.
His brother, Private Alexander McCombe, served with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
One of his cousins, Private Andrew James Carson, was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he was killed in action on 21st November 1916.
Another cousin, Sapper Robert J Carson, served with the overseas draft of the Canadian Engineers. Joseph W Carson. A third cousin was employed at Scandrett’s.
Memorials
Corporal McCombe has no known grave and is commemorated on Vimy Memorial in France.
Corporal McCombe is commemorated locally on Clogher War Memorial.
The CWGC record Corporal McCombe as the son of Robert and Jane McCombe of Tullyvernon, Clogher, County Tyrone, Ireland.
