Pilot Officer George Marshall McCombe (104492) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War Two. He was the only son of George Marshall McCombe and Mary McCombe (née Osborne) of 35 Moira Drive, Bangor, Co. Down. He was the husband of Eileen M McCombe (née Doyle) of Castlerock, Co. Londonderry.
Before the outbreak of the Second World War, McCombe was well-known in rugby circles. He represented Ulster in interprovincial games and played in international trials. In October 1941, George married Eileen M Doyle of Bangor, Co. Down and moved to Castlerock, Co. Londonderry.
McCombe died on 8th November 1941 aged 25 years old. He was the Pilot of Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Z6948 EY-F with RAF 78 Squadron. The crew was on a mission to attack Berlin, Germany when intercepted by Oberleutnant Ludwig Becker’s night-fighter of IV/NJG1. At around 0630hrs, the Whitley came down between Oudemirdum and Nijemirdum in Friesland, Netherlands.
George Marshall McCombe’s grave is in Plot 1, Row A, Grave 4 of Nijemirdum Generals Cemetery, Gaasterland, Netherlands. His headstone bears the inscription:
In proud and loving memory of a dear son. The path of duty is the way to glory.
Pilot Officer McCombe’s name is on the School Roll of Honour at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Belfast, Co. Antrim.