Thomas McCombs

 

May 23, 1897

Born at Glasgow Scotland

 

Nov 3, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Number 59701 (temporary number 99)

Ø      Next of kin given as James McCombs (father) of Glasgow Scotland

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø      Assigned to “A” Company 

Note that he lied about his age, stating that he was born in 1893

 

Apr 12, 1915

Married to Mabel White at Kingston Ontario 

He lied about his age again, as he still is not 18 years of age.  Mabel’s address is given as 239 Earl St, Kingston Ontario

 

Apr 28, 1915

Was AWL (Absent Without Leave) and forfeits 1 day’s pay

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama at Montreal Quebec

 

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked at Devonport England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp near Hythe Kent

 

Jul 27, 1915

AWL again and he never returned to the Battalion

 

Aug 19, 1915

A Court of Enquiry finds him to be illegally absent and declares him a Deserter.  At this point he was struck off the strength of the 21st Battalion 

It is clear from the following entry that he made his way back to Canada, most likely under an assumed name

 

Jul 12, 1916

Attested into the Depot Regiment of the CMR (Canadian Mounted Rifles) at Hamilton Ontario 

Ø      Number 226797

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs Mabel McCombs (wife) of 120 Stephen St, Kingston Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Seaman

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø      Rank shown as Trooper 

Hi lied about his age again, giving his birth year as 1894

 

Aug 7, 1916

Awarded 5 days CB (Confined to Barracks).  This also involves extra duties as punishment.  The reason for this punishment is not recorded

 

Aug 15, 1916

Embarked the SS Grampian at Halifax Nova Scotia

 

Will made out leaving his estate to his mother, Mrs Helen Higle McCombs, of 94 Earlston Ave, Glasgow Scotland

 

Aug 24, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the Shorncliffe Camp

 

Aug 25, 1916

Posted to the RCDRR (Royal Canadian Dragoons Reserve Regiment) at Shorncliffe

 

Oct 7, 1916

Transferred to the 11th Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe

 

Oct 27, 1916

Posted to the 1st CMR

 

Nov 3, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 1st CMR

 

Nov 19, 1916

Left the CBD to join the unit

 

Nov 22, 1916

Joined the 1st CMR in the field 

He arrived at the Regiment as part of a draft of 35 Other Ranks.  The 1st CMR War diary states that they were in Brigade Support Trenches

 

May 15, 1917

Awarded 3 days FP #1 (Field Punishment) for Insolence to an NCO

 

Jun 6, 1917

Suffered slight gas poisoning, but remained at duty

 

Jun 25, 1917

Suffered a self inflicted gun shot wound to his left arm and admitted to No 9 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance)

 

Jun 26, 1917

Transferred to No 13 CFA

 

Jun 29, 1917

Admitted to the Special Hospital at No 57 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) and placed under arrest and held for trial

 

Jul 5, 1917

Tried by FGCM (Field General Court Martial) at Lillers and convicted of negligently wounding himself and sentenced to 24 days FP #1

 

Jul 17, 1917

Transferred to the Confinement Barracks at No 4 Canadian General Hospital at Camiers

 

Sep 13, 1917

Transferred to No 3 CBD for light duties

 

Oct 11, 1917

Medical Board classifies him as “TB” (Temporary Base), meaning that he is only fit for light duties and not fit for combat

 

Oct 23, 1917

His medical category upgraded to B3 meaning that he is only capable of sedentary work as in a Clerk’s position

 

Oct 31, 1917

His medical category upgraded to B1 meaning that he is fit for employment in general labour, forestry work or railway units.  He was then transferred to the Canadian Labour Pool

 

Nov 4, 1917

Transferred to the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Centre) and employed at the 5th CAEC (Canadian Area Employment Company)

 

Nov 21, 1917

Attached to the CAEC for pay and allowances

 

Mar 11, 1918

Granted 14 days leave of absence

 

Mar 27, 1918

Returned to duty from leave

 

May 2, 1918

Transferred to the 5th CAEC

 

May 15, 1918

Sentenced to forfeit 10 days pay for “While on Active Service  

Ø      Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he, at Pernes on May 13, 1918, did commit a nuisance

Ø      Knowingly making a false statement in that he at Pernes May 13, 1918, when asked by his superior Officer for his proper name, gave a false one, well knowing same to be false

 

Jun 9, 1918

Sentenced to forfeit 10 days pay for “While on Active Service

 Ø      Absent from Billet after 9.30 pm contrary to GRO 1599

 

Jun 11, 1918

Medical Board upgrades his medical category to “A” which is the category for regular service

 

Jul 1, 1918

Transferred to the 1st CMR

 

Jul 8, 1918

Admitted to No 57 CCS diagnosed with Epididymitis (an inflammation of the tubes connecting the testicles)

 

Jul 10, 1918

Transferred via No 8 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to No 3 Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne

 

Aug 22, 1918

Transferred to No 7 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne

 

Aug 27, 1918

Transferred to No 12 Canadian Convalescent Depot and admitted to #5 Rest Camp at St Martins Plain

 

Sep 9, 1918

Discharged from the Rest Camp

 

Sep 11, 1918

TOS the CGBD (Canadian Garrison Base Depot)

 

Sep 18, 1918

Joined the 5th CAEC

 

Nov 26, 1918

Admitted to No 1 CCS diagnosed with VDG (Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)

 

Dec 1, 1918

Transferred to #51 General hospital at Etaples

 

Jan 1, 1919

Although not recorded in the file, I assume he was granted sick leave to Paris at some point as he was arrested in Paris and charged with attempted robbery and assault.  No mention in the Court Martial proceedings of him being AWL

 

Jan 12, 1919

Discharged from hospital 

Forfeits Field Allowance and placed under a pay stoppage at the rate of 50¢ per day for the 43 days he was in hospital as punishment for the VD

 

Jan 15, 1919

TOS the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples

 

Feb 13, 1919

Transferred to the Canadian Records List

 

Feb 19, 1919

Admitted to No 51 General Hospital, Etaples, with a diagnosis of VDG

 

Feb 20, 1919

TOS the CGBD and posted to “A” Company

 

Mar 7, 1919

Discharged from hospital 

Forfeits Field Allowance and placed under stoppages of pay at the rate of 50¢ per diem while in hospital February 19, 1919 until March 7, 1919 (17 days)

 

May 26, 1919

Tried by Field General Court Martial and found not guilty of robbery, but guilty of assault on a French civilian.  He was sentenced to 6 months IHL (In Hard Labour)

 

May 30, 1919

Admitted to No 5 Military Prison at Shepton Mallet to serve his sentence

 

Jul 2, 1919

Transferred to England and posted to SRD (Saskatchewan Regimental Depot) while serving his sentence

 

Aug 31, 1919

The remainder of his prison sentence was commuted to one of Detention and he was transferred to the Wandsworth Detention Barracks

 

Sep 6, 1919

Transferred to No 1 CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) for accounting purposes, but remained in the Wandsworth Detention Barracks

 

Sep 28, 1919

Balance of sentence is remitted and struck off the strength of the OMFC (Overseas Military Force of Canada) and to be returned to Canada to be discharged “For Misconduct” on arrival

 

Oct 11, 1919

Embarked the HMT Saturnia at Glasgow Scotland

 

 

Oct 20, 1919

Disembarked at Montreal Quebec and proceeded to Kingston Ontario 

 

Oct 22, 1919

Discharged from the CEF at Kingston Ontario 

Ø      Discharged by reason of Misconduct

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge 120 Stephen St, Kingston Ontario

 

Sep 22, 1921

British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 120 Stephen St, Kingston Ontario

 

Oct 4, 1921

The above medals were returned

 

Jan 20, 1923

British War Medal and Victory Medals were resent to him at #10, 5th Avenue, Kingston Ontario

 

Apr 23, 1926

The reason for discharge from the CEF was changed from Misconduct to read Demobilization

 

 

Woodlands Cemetery
Hamilton ON

 

Summary of Court Martial July 5, 1917

Archives Canada holding

Reference: RG150 - Ministry of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada, Series 8, File 240-M-56, Microfilm Reel Number T-8691

 

On July 5th 1917 a Field General Court Martial was convened at Lillers France, with Lieut Col DE Williams of the Royal Field Artillery acting as President, with Lieut j Burnett of No 1 Corps Cyclist Battalion as the Court Member. 

Charge

 Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he “in the field on the 25th of June 1917, negligently wounded himself in his left arm” 

Plea – Guilty 

Four witnesses who were in the dugout with Pte McCombs all testified that he was cleaning his rifle when they heard the rifle go off.  Pte McCombs was immediately tended to as his arm was bleeding badly.  One of the witnesses stated that he examined the rifle after the wound was dressed and found an empty shell in the chamber and 2 live rounds in the magazine. 

In a statement by Pte McCombs, he testified that he had just returned from a work party where he had been digging in the mud, most likely digging trenches.  He stated that his rifle was muddy and needed cleaning.  In a statement of character, he related that he went over the top at the attack at Vimy Ridge and had participated in several bombing raids on the enemy. 

Found Guilty and sentenced to 24 days Field Punishment No 1.

 

Summary of Court Martial May 26, 1919

Archives Canada holding

Reference: RG150 - Ministry of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada, Series 8, File 240-M-56, Microfilm Reel Number T-8691

  

On May 26, 1919 a Field General Court Martial was convened with Major HA Milton MC, of the 2/23rd  London Regiment acting as President.  The other 2 Court members were Captain JMB Stancomb of the Devonshire Regiment and Captain S Parry of the Royal Artillery. 

Charge Number 1 

When on active service “Committing an offence against the person of an inhabitant of the country in which he was serving at Paris, on 4-1-19, assaulted MJM Leguier, with intent to rob him. 

Plea – Not Guilty 

Charge Number 2
(Alternative) 

When on active service “Committing an offence against the person of an inhabitant of the country in which he was serving, at Paris on 4-1-19, assaulted MJM Leguier.

 Plea – Not Guilty 

Charge Number 3 

When on active service “When in lawful custody escaping, at Etaples, on 7-1-19, escaped. 

Plea – Not Guilty

 Witness Testimony 

The first 2 witnesses were the arresting officers and they testified that while on duty in Paris, they heard a cry for help and when they approached the area they discovered Mr Leguier struggling with a soldier who they identified as the accused.  Mr Leguier told the them that the soldier had tried to pick his pocket and that he was assaulted when he resisted.  They testified that when they placed the soldier under arrest, he broke free and struck Mr Leguier before being restrained again, and delivered to the local police station. 

The 3rd witness was Mr Leguier who testified that he had entered a urinal and the soldier had followed him in and demanded a franc as a souvenir.  When he replied that he had no money, the soldier put his hand in his pocket and a struggle ensued, which spilled outside of the urinal where the 2 policemen arrived and placed the soldier under arrest.  He went on to say that he had been assaulted a second time outside while the soldier was in the custody of the 2 policement. 

Thomas McCombs testified on his own behalf, stating that when he entered the urinal, he was struck on the back of the head for no reason by Mr Leguier and that is when the struggle occurred.  When he left the urinal, Mr Leguier began shouting and the police arrived and placed him under arrest. 

Under cross examination he testified that after his arrest he was turned over to the English Military Police and taken to the Infantry Base Depot at Etaples and eventually admitted to No 57th General Hospital.  When questioned, he admitted to leaving the hospital without permission. 

A 5th witness, Lieut AW Beament testified that the accused was not under any suspension or punishment at the time of the assault.   He also testified that the accused had been absent on several occasions. 

Pt McCombs declined to make any statement about his character. 

The Court found him Not Guilty on Charges 1 and 3, but Guilty on the 2nd Charge of assaulting Mr Leguier.  He was sentenced to 6 months Imprisonment, in Hard Labour.

Note that the sentence was reduced as noted above on August 31 and September 28, 1919


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