Private George Lyall Coombes, fourth son of Mr John Walter Coombes, of North-East Valley, who was reported wounded on September 15, is now officially reported killed in action on that date. He left New Zealand with the Twelfth Reinforcements, was educated at North-East Valley public school, and prior to his enlisting was engaged in sheepfarming. He was twenty-three years old. -Lyttelton Times 24/1/1917.
George Coombes died on the first day of the Otago Infantry Regiment's involvement in the Battle of the Somme. Overwhelming artillery preparation, followed by overwhelming infantry numbers, were going to make the attack a walkover. It could hardly have been more different.
The weather broke fine on the morning of September 15th. Zero hour was fixed at 6.20 am., and by 6 o'clock all ranks had breakfasted and were fortified by a stout issue of rum. In order as far as possible to conceal from the enemy the hour of attack there was no increase of our artillery fire immediately before the assault was timed to commence. Shortly after 6 o'clock three distinct lines of troops of the 2nd Battalion of Otago, which in conjunction with the 2nd Battalion of Auckland was to open the New Zealand Division's attack, had formed up in front of the new Otago Trench at intervals in depth of about 50 yards, and a fourth line was in Otago Trench itself.
Zero hour, 6.20 a.m., was the common signal for a mighty effort on the part of infantry and artillery. An intense and hurricane-like barrage of field artillery instantaneously broke out along the line; the great howitzers in the rear, hitherto firing but intermittently, now burst forth in extreme violence, and the anxiously awaiting lines of infantrymen stepped forward as in one accord and moved straight to their task. But the advancing waves had not proceeded far before officers and men began to drop from the ranks, for heavy machine gun fire was coming from the left and from the front of High Wood. -Official History of the Otago Regiment.
George Lyall was found to be dead by a Court of Enquiry after the Battle. He lies buried in the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery. It is possible that he was buried by someone who was unable to report it, and exhumed after the war.
FOR KING AND COUNTRY.
DEATH.
COOMBES. — On September 15th, 1916 (killed while in action in France), George Lyall, dearly-beloved fourth son of John Walter and Annie Jane Coombes, 5 Montague street, N.E. Valley, Dunedin; aged 23 years. So loved, so mourned. -Evening Star, 23/1/1917.
Mr James Lyall Coombes, son of Mr J. VV. Coombes, was farewelled last night, his final leave being up, by residents of the North-east Valley, and presented with useful souvenirs. His younger brother, George Lyall Coombes, was killed in action on the 15th September. -Evening Star, 2/3/1917.
James Coombes died at a time when the German Spring offensive had almost spent itself, but still had hope of success. It was a relatively quiet time, as the Rifles' Official History describes, but not without its alarms:
The position of both battalion fronts was generally satisfactory except in the vicinity of La Signy Farm. Here the enemy occupied a small salient, and steps were taken to reduce his area of occupation by pushing forward our own posts and trenches; but before this improvement had proceeded far, the Germans attempted to raid a post which the 1st Battalion had brought close up to the hedge on the northern side of the Farm. At 3.30 a.m. on May 2nd, after a hurricane bombardment by artillery and trench mortars, about sixty of the enemy attacked this position in four parties. The situation was capitally handled by that Lance-Corporal McMurray who, a month before, had so distinguished himself in single-handed patrol work in the same locality, but who was now a sergeant with a D.C.M., and in charge of the platoon forming the garrison. Possibly he felt more than ordinary interest in the position, seeing that he had been mainly instrumental in its establishment; at any rate he dealt with the attack without calling for artillery support, and succeeded in driving off the raiders after inflicting heavy casualties. The only German, an officer, who entered our trench, was promptly killed. Our listening-post here was driven in, but was immediately re-established. In the repulse of the raiders particularly gallant work was done by Lance-Corporal M. Willets, who was in command of one of the sections. Though severely wounded during the bombardment, he continued the active direction and control of his men, carrying out to the letter the instruction to hold on at all costs. Three days later the enemy made a similar attempt on a neighbouring post, but this also was a complete failure.
FOR KING AND COUNTRY.
IN MEMORIAM.
COOMBES. — In loving memory of James Lyall Coombes, second son of J. and J. W. Coombes, Montague street, N.E. Valley, killed in Colincamps, France, May 4, 1918.
"So loved so mourned." — Inserted by his father, mother, sister, and brothers. -Evening Star, 4/5/1920.
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