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Robert G Combe  lived at 24 Ferryhill Place, just down from the school. After he left Ferryhill School in 1892 he became a pupil at Aberdeen Grammar School. When he grew up he trained as a chemist with Mr William E Hay. Then he decided to go to Canada to start his own business. At the beginning of the First World War he joined the Canadian army. In 1917 he was serving in France.

 

On the 3rd May 1917, south of Acheville France, Lieutenant Combe steadied his company under intense fire and leading them through enemy barrage reached the objective with only five men. He proceeded to bomb the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties and then collecting small groups of men, succeeded in capturing the objective, together with 80 prisoners. He repeatedly charged the enemy, driving them before him, but while personally leading his bombers he was killed by a sniper.

 

On 27th June 1917 news came through that Robert G Combe had won the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery in the British Army.