COMMISSIONERS THOMAS AND NELLIE COOMBS

At the age of 17, Thomas Coombs knelt at the Army penitent form at Wellingboro, London and gave his life to the Lord. Full of life and zeal for the salvation of souls, young Tommy Coombs applied for the Field and was accepted. During several years, he held important commands in the British Field, among them being that of the Divisional Officer in Wales, he being the second in that appointment.

The new year, 1884 in Canada, saw the Army with ten Corps, and constant calls for officers were received at the New York Headquarters, which then directed the work in Ontario. But the USA itself claimed so much attention that the General decided to separate these two fields and sent Major T.B. Coombs to take charge of the Canadian Wing.

On September 19, 1889 the then Major Coombs was sent to Australia, where he labored successfully for seven years, after which he was appointed to command the British troops. In December 1904 Commissioner Coombs returns to Canada with two of this three children having just recently completed training at the International training home and about to take appointments in Canada.

Mrs. Coombs, as Captain Nellie Cope was one of the earliest and most successful officers in the days of the Christian Mission.