A memorial stone was laid in Aberdeen yesterday to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of a Victoria Cross recipient from the Granite City.
The stone for Lieutenant Robert Grierson Combe was unveiled at the city’s Bon Accord Terrace Gardens.
Lt Combe was born on Aberdeen’s Holburn Road in 1880. He attended Ferryhill School and Aberdeen Grammar School before becoming an apprentice pharmacist.
In 1906 Lt Combe emigrated to Canada and, after opening a pharmacy business in the city of Melville, Saskatchewan, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
He was promoted to the rank of Major away from combat duty but asked to revert to Lieutenant so that he could fight on the front line.
During World War I he was involved in heavy fighting around Vimy in France with the 27th Battalion (City of Winnipeg).
He died on May 3, 1917 during an assault on German trenches close to the town of Acheville.
Lt Combe was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery which saved the lives of many other soldiers.
His Victoria Cross citation reads: “His conduct inspired all ranks, and it was entirely due to his magnificent courage that the position was carried, secured and held.”
Speaking on behalf of his family Lt Combe’s great grand-niece, Alison Love, said: “Robert Combe’s family are proud 100 years later, to honour him.
“We remember his superb bravery in appalling battle conditions – overcoming hostile fire, and leading his small surviving troop of men, while capturing a large number of enemy prisoners.
“His widow lived in Saskatchewan until 1963. We would like to offer our profound thanks to the city of Aberdeen for commemorating his courageous sacrifice.”
His stone was unveiled yesterday by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeen Andrew Lawtie and primary seven pupils from Ferryhill School.
Mr Lawtie said: “It is very fitting that his bravery so far away from his home in Canada is remembered here in the community where he lived as a boy.”
Lt Combe’s name is inscribed on a family memorial in Aberdeen’s Allenvale Cemetery and on the Vimy Memorial in France. A lake in North Saskatchewan is named after him along with the Melville branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.