Robert Grierson Combe
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Robert Grierson Combe (August 5, 1880-May 3, 1917), was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was 36 years old, and a lieutenant in the 27th (City of Winnipeg) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 3 May 1917, south of Acheville, France, Lieutenant Combe steadied his company under intense fire and leading them through the enemy barrage reached the objective with only five men. He proceeded to bomb the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties and then, collecting small groups of men, succeeded in capturing the objective, together with 80 prisoners. He repeatedly charged the enemy, driving them before him, but while personally leading his bombers he was killed by a sniper.
[edit] Further information
Also considered Scottish since he was born in Aberdeen, Scotland.
[edit] The medal
Combe's medal is held by the Saskatchewan Archives in Regina and is displayed on special occasions. It is the only publicly held Victoria Cross in the province. Regina, Saskatchewan.
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
[edit] External links
- ROBERT GRIERSON COMBE (service/personal details, citation, relevant documents, burial information)
- Legion Magazine article on Robert Combe
- Find-A-Grave profile for Robert Grierson Combe
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
