OLD AZURIANS

George Coombs was born in 1892. It is not confirmed, but he was probably the son of a Shoreditch tailor. By 1911, George had become an electrical fitter. He began a teaching career as a Science Master at Kirton Grammar School Boston, Lincolnshire in September 1912, a post he held until April 1916 when he left for active service in the Grenadier Guards during the remainder of WW1. He returned to Kirton Grammar School in the summer of 1919 for a few months before entering King’s College, London as an ex-service student with a Government Grant. He had a short but brilliant career as a student at King’s College. After only one year he obtained a Pass Degree (First Division) in Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. At the suggestion of the College he continued his studies for another year and obtained a first class Honours degree in Physics in November 1921. The College authorities were so impressed by his work and character that they appointed him as a demonstrator in the Department of Physics in January 1922. At the end of that academic year he moved to the Wheatstone Laboratory at King’s to continue some research in which he had become interested, but with the intention of eventually returning to school teaching.

​

Armed with glowing testimonials, as to his scholarship, character, and ability as a teacher from the Principal of King’s College, his research professor at the Wheatstone laboratory, and his Headmaster at Kirton Grammar School, George Coombs joined the Worthing School in the autumn term of 1924 as Senior Physics Master, a position he was to hold for 31 years.

​

He was a well-built man with an imposing presence, as befits a man who has seen war service with an elite regiment. More than that, he was recognised as a dedicated teacher, and as a fair and kindly man who had the interests and development of his pupils very much at heart.

​

He married Georgina Galloway in Edmonton, North London, in 1930. Their son Bram was born in Worthing on 20 May 1931 and in due course he became a pupil of the school and a noted rugby player during his time there.

​

“George”, as he was always affectionately known, retired at the end of the summer term in 1955. The occasion was noted in the Azurian as follows: “This term we have the sad duty of saying goodbye to Mr Coombs, who is retiring after thirty-one years as Senior Physics Master. There is no-one in the School who has not benefited directly or indirectly from his work as Head of the Physics Department and his many activities outside school hours; those who have been in his classes will be specially conscious of what they owe him. We wish him a very happy retirement.”

​

George Coombs died in Worthing in 1962 at the age of 70.