David Combe WWII Memories
David Hume Combe
World War Two Memories
“ War is a terrible thing “
Filmed and recorded at home in Portobello age 93 on 2 March 2007.(approx 45mins).
Interviewed / filmed by a granddaughter, a great grandson and a great granddaughter: who have previously given permission to certain primary schools to use this dvd in classrooms.
Born in Leith 13 January 1914 and brought up at 40 West Bowling Green Steet, Leith; moved to Portobello after the war; died May 2009
A Ham Curer to trade, originally with Kersans, Leith, then Danish Bacon Company at Seafield Road; latterly caretaker at Sothebys in George Street..
Married to the late Isabella Corrigan (Maiden name) Combe, who at the time was a comptometer operator with Hays Cash Stores, Leith, lived in Arthur Street, Leith Walk and Easter Road.
Served in the Royal Army Medical Corp 1940-1945; joined up 3 June 1940 age 26, discharged December 1945, age 31. Longest separation from home and family Aug 1944 to Dec 1945.
He was age 4 when Armistice was signed in WW1; his first born son was age 4 when Armistice was signed in WW11
Established postings so far, order details and order unconfirmed:
Surrey
Peebles Hydro, set up as a hospital, 9 months
Watford
Birmingham
Didcot preparations for hospital convoys
Birmingham
New Battle Abbey
London, and Blitz, spent a sleepless night in Clapham Common Airraid Shelter
Aldershot
Littlehampton
Near Southampton, saw flying bombs
Normandy, landed in the dark,mines on beach, must rest and pee where they lay while officers checked the area for mines. Set up hospital with 8 marquee tents, landed after D-Day, attended wounded and blind German soldiers – 1944
1944 June : Caen, France
Brussels, Belgium 1944
1945 end of War : Holland, stationed in a U-Boat bay
Hamburg
Oslo, Norway, played banjo in concert to entertain troups broadcast on Radio Oslo.
(Many thanks to Ian Combe (David's son) who regularly comes in to the Wee Museum of Memory and gave us permission to share these wonderful memories)