Name: Rank: Service No: Service: Date of Birth: Place of Birth: Date of Enlistment: Place of Enlistment: Age at Enlistment: Trade: Marital Status: Religion: Next of Kin: Date of Death: Age at Death: Cemetery: Reference:

Allton John Richard Coombs

Sources Veterans Affairs Canada

Allton John Richard Coombs Pilot Officer J/87307 97 RAF Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force November 12, 1919 Lequille, Annapolis Co., NS June 18, 1942 Halifax, NS 22 Farmer Single Baptist Alice Sarah Coombs (Mother) Annapolis Royal, NS September 12, 1944 24 Rheinberg War Cemetery 8. A. 25. Commemorated on page 278 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on June 15 Pilot Officer Coombs was the son of Albridge Dodge Coombs and Alice Sarah (Carr) Coombs, of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Allton lived in Annapolis Royal for six years and in Waltham Mass. Us for seventeen years. The Lancaster PB.510 of 97 RAF Squadron failed to return from bombing operation over Darmstadt, Germany on the night of September 12, 1944. The plane cashed near Gimbsheim having been hit by Flax at Worms and in trouble hit the ground. German Officers and men arrived at the scene and recovered three bodies near the wreckage. The three crew members were buried in the local cemetery. Pilot Officers Coombs was the Air Gunner on the flight. He went overseas in September 1943 and joined 97 RAF Squadron on June 25, 1944. He took part in ten operational sorties, making a total of twenty five in all since receiving his Commission.