Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lance-Corporal

Unit:

40th The King's Battalion Royal Tank Regiment, 23rd Armoured Brigade, 46th Infantry Division, British Army

Awarded on:

January 13th, 1944

Citation:
"On 25th September, 1943, L/Cpl. Coombes, J.L. was the Gunlayer in the leading tank commanded by a Sgt supporting the 2/4 Hamps. Regt. in an attack at CAVA DE TIRRENI. The tank was advancing down the main road which was unable to leave due to the close precipitious nature of the country. As the tank advanced, it was held up by mines laid on the surface of the road. The Tank Comd got out of the tank to examine the mines when he was immediately shot by two enemy M.Gs. and fell in front of the tank in the road. L/Cpl. Coombes immediately assumed command of the tank and engaged both enemy M.G. posts, though they were difficult to locate in the close country. He then put down smoke from the tank and with great courage got out and ascertained that the tank Comd who was lying in the road was dead. He got back into his tank and informed his Troop Leader that he had taken command of the tank and again re-engaged the M.G. Posts which then remained silent. With a depleted crew, he kept his tank in action for a further three hours during which time the tank was subjected to intense mortar fire and sniping. After three hours his tank was hit by an A/Tk gun which set it on fire and killed another member."