Harry Newcombe

Harry John Newcombe (August 5 1900 - March 18 2006) was one of only a few surviving British veterans of the First World War when he died in 2006.

Newcombe joined the army in 1918 (the Sussex regiment). When the war ended, he was still in training. He did however spend a year in Germany as part of the army of occupation. Following the war he resumed his trade as a railwayman, retiring in 1965. During the Second World War he served in the Royal Air Force as a movements clerk.

He was only traced as a surviving veteran of the First World War in 2003.

Newcombe lived in Worthing until he died after a long fight against illness. Due to family requests, news of his death was kept private and restricted to the local area.

See also

• Veterans of the First World War who died in 2006