Leigh is the great niece of Robert John Marcombe, who is at rest in Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta and William Henry Marcombe who is at rest. Meteren Military Cemetery, France
Her other Great Uncle Walter Oswald Marcombe joined up but was discharged on compassionate grounds.
Robert John MARCOMBE Private, 377, 26th Battalion, Australian Infantry. Died of pneumonia due to black lung, 29th November 1915, aged 20 years. Born 11 May 1895 to Fanny nee Harrison and William Harvey Marcombe, of Upper Dee River, Mount Morgan, Queensland, Australia. In 1901 he was residing with his parents aged 5 years at 110 Talyllyn, Ystradyfodwg, Glamorgan. His father was a coalminer working above and below ground 1911 he was residing with his parents and siblings, at 20 Wyndham Terrace, Penygraig occupation aged 15 colliers boy working at the coal face. At rest in Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta. Plot D. Row X. Grave 4.
Some notes from his army records.
He was born at Penygraig, Glamorgan, enlisted 3 March 1915 aged 19 years and 10 month. His next of kin was his mother. After he had completed his training he was posted B Coy 26th Battalion Australian Infantry on the 24 May 1915 The following day he embarked Brisbane on His Majesty's Australian Transports (H.M.A.T.). A11 Ascanius bound for Gallipoli via England. While in the field he was charged on the 29 September 1915 from being absent from 10-30pm parade. He was awarded one day Field Punishment No 2.
22nd November 1915 admitted into 5th Australian Field Ambulance, Gallipoli with jaundice. Following day transferred to 13 Casualty Clearing Station (13 C.C.S.) at Gallipoli peninsula the same day onto Hospital Ship, Gloucester Castle at Mudras which was bound for Malta. Now suffering from pneumonia. He was also suffering from Black Lung He died on board the ship in Malta Harbour 29th and was laid to rest the following day in Pieta Military Cemetery by Chaplain E.E.Smith
Description of black lung
Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), also known as black lung disease or black lung, is caused by long-term exposure to coal dust. It is common in coal miners and others who work with coal. It is similar to both silicosis from inhaling silica dust and to the long-term effects of tobacco smoking.
MARCOMBE William Henry Gunner 20832 12th Australian Field Artillery Brigade died 23rd June 1918 aged 26. At rest in Meteren Military Cemetery, Nord France. Son of Fanny Marcombe, of Upper Dee River, Mount Morgan, Queensland, and the late William Haney Marcombe. In 1901 was residing with his parents aged 9 years at 110 Talyllyn, Ystradyfodwg, Glamorgan with his siblings. His father was a coal miner working above and below ground. He embarked aged 18 from London Port, alone, 4 August 1910 bound for Townsville, Australia on Steam Ship Oswestry Grange, occupation, labourer
Some notes from his army record.
He enlisted 20 September 1915 aged 23 years and 8 months into the Australian Field Artillery as Gunner 20832. His occupation prior to enlistment, miner. On the 1 April 1916 he was posted to 33 Battery, 9th Field Artillery Brigade. He embarked from Sydney on His Majesty's Australian Transports (H.M.A.T.). A8 Argyllshire for France via England. 10 July 1916 he disembarked at Devonport, England, 5 November transferred to No 1 Command Depot, Larkhill. 25 April 1917 left Larkhill for embarkation from Folkstone the same day to France. The 26 he disembarked France and marched into Australian General Base Depot at Etaples(Transit base) to await dispersal to his unit. On the 2 June 1917 he was posted to 12th Field Artillery Brigade, Belgium, 5 June he was taken on strength and sent to 46th Battery. He was admitted to 2nd Australian Field Ambulance in the field on the 19 January 1918 sick. Then the 20th to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, on the 23rd to 39th General Hospital, Havre. 13th March 1918 transferred to Australian General Base Depot V.D.S. Havre. Total period in hospital 54 days On the 11 April 1918 he rejoined his unit in the field. On the 23 June 1918 he was killed in action whilst serving with the 12th Field Artillery in Belgium.
At rest in Meteren Military Cemetery, France
Walter Oswald MARCOMBE enlisted into the Field Artillery, Australian Imperial Force on the 25 September 1915 aged 18 years and 4 months. He had previously served 1 year and 6 months with the Sea Cadets. In 1901 was residing with his parents aged 3 years at 110 Talyllyn, Ystradyfodwg, Glamorgan. In 1911 aged 13 was employed at the colliers as an oil boy, top of the pit. He embarked London Port bound for Australia on the 14 February 1913 with elder sister Ethel aged 21 some of his siblings on Steam Ship, Norseman. On the 6 January 1916 he was discharged on his mothers’ objection reason she gave by letter. Since he enlisted his father had died 10 November 1915 and that her second eldest son had died in service and her eldest son is overseas. He is the only one who could support his mother and 4 younger siblings. And she claimed that her son Walter as her sole support.
Edward MacGILL is the great uncle of David
Edward MacGill. Gunner 29809, 42nd Battery 11th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, died 20th September 1917 aged 27. Born at Moonee Ponds, Victoria, Australia to Edward Howden Macgill and Agnes Isabella Macgill, of "Braeside," Brewster Street, Essendon, Victoria, Australia. His father was born 1864 in Edinburgh Scotland. His mother Agnes Isabella Paterson born 1866 West Melbourne, Australia married 10 October 1888 Victoria, Australia.
1937 electoral roll 1937 for Essendon, Victoria, Australia. Agnes Isabella MacGILL 18 Brewster Street and Edward Howden same address, occupation, traveller. At rest in Menin Road South Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Some notes from his army records.
He enlisted 15 April 1915 aged 26 years and 11 months. On the 16 May 1916 he was mobilised and posted Field Artillery Brigade Mount Werong as gunner 29809. Until the 21 July 1916 when he was posted to Ascot Vale Isolation Camp, at Melbourne Showgrounds Victoria. He left there 10 August 1916 and posted to Field Artillery Mount Werong. 19 September 1916 serving with 12th Field Artillery Brigade, 6th Reinforcement. He embarked from Melbourne on the 2 October 1916 On HMAT A60 Aeneas bound for Plymouth, England disembarking 19 November 1916. He marched into Reserve Brigade Australian Army (RBAA) Larkhill and onto Bulford Camp, very short distance from Larkhill, Salisbury, Wiltshire 29th December 1916. He and his unit left Larkhill for Folkstone bound for France embarking 15 March 1917 disembarking in France. On the 16 he marched in Australian General Base depot, Etaples to await dispersal to his unit which was on the 20 May when he was posted to 4th Division Field Artillery Australian Army. He was transferred to 42nd Battery 11th Australian Field Artillery Brigade. He was killed in action in Belgium 20 September 1917 and laid to rest in Meninn Road South Military Cemetery, near Ypres, Belgium.
