J. H. H. Coombes - My Recent Visit To J.H.H. Coombes Crematorium

My Recent Visit To J.H.H. Coombes Crematorium

By Khurram Ghuari 9443 J
In the name of Allah the most beneficent the most merciful

My Visit to Colonel Colonel (R) John Harold Henry Coombescrematory.
Back ground:

On September 16 September 2012 We have a gathering of The Petarian Association Europe Chapter at Javed Somro Bhai jaan House in Milton Keynes; on which The President Gul metlo Bhai Jaan Assign me a Task to find out the cemetry of The Principal Colonel J.H.H. Coombes The Pioneer of present Cadet college. I accept this task as a challenge and begin Searching the Websites, Among those websites; The Most useful websites for this purpose are

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._H._H._Coombes http://petaro.org/

I traced out the Map of Sellindge from Google map as well. and ask my seniors to help me in this regards. I got replies on yahoogroup Wasif Malik bhai for appreciation and Rashid Abro bhai jaan for his last meeting with colonel Sb. Lastly I received Email from Kazi Zulqader Bhai Jaan for the guidance.I am very thankful to you guys. the information provided is too little and incomplete. I just know this much about Colonel JHH Coombes "Coombes’ later life After his retirement as Principal, Coombes returned to the UK and settled at Sellindge in Kent. His love for Cadet College Petaro was such that he gave the name Petaro to his home and took every opportunity to invite Petarians - ex-cadets graduates of the college - to his UK home. He married again in 1974, his second wife being Elsie. Coombes returned along with Elsie to Pakistan in 1971 to visit Cadet College Petaro where he was given a grand reception and spent several days. He left Pakistan for the last time with tears in his eyes. His last post was that of Deputy Director of Education for the Church of England Diocese of Southwark, serving south London, where he worked between 1968 and 1974. Secretaries in his office there struggled to interpret his minute handwriting which he attributed to those years when he had kept a hidden journal as a POW under the Japanese. After suffering a stroke, he was lovingly cared for by Elsie at his home in Sellindge. He died on 18 February 1978. Coombes is eulogized at virtually every major occasion held at Cadet College Petaro. He is considered to be a legend and a great hero for the cause of education in Pakistan."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._H._H._Coombes

My journey:

On 11 of October 2012 at 12:00; I started my journey from my home which is Watford to Sellindge which is 100 miles(160 Km) from my house .

https://picasaweb.google.com/friend9443/JHHCoombesOctober112012#5798208335207135426 sellindge is near channel tunnel, near United Kingdom and France borders . I reached at the sellindge at 14:00. But in vain because this is very small town and no one knows about Colonel Coombes; a person who died in 1978. So I visited a nearby surgery(dispensary or clinic),

http://www.sellindgesurgery.nhs.uk/

the receptionist is very help full, and gave me some information about the Birth and death registration office of Ashford 012333624666. This is extraordinary clue. I started my journey toward Ashford Kent which is according to the address provided is Elwick House, Elwick Road Ashford, Kent .TN23 1NR 15 miles approximately 20 minutes; When I reached destination that building was demolished and after some consultation from the passersby I come to know that I have to go to another place called Ashford Gateway plus, church road ashford road,Ashford, kent. TN23 1AS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jImlxOSSX-k

Where all the council offices moved. I parked my car into council square parking I begin to search the said building, at approximately 15:30 finally I reached the building. On entering in the building I went to receptionist and told her whole story about my quest, she gave me several useful contact numbers, the first contact number is the Cemetery officer Christine which is 01233330472. she told me that, she has no information about grave of J.H.H. coombes present in Ashford. In order to clarify the confusion; I checked my Notes and from my notes I found that Colonel might be cremated. So, I told her that J.H.H. Coombes was not buried but Cremated She search in her Database and told me the cremated Number of Mr. J.H.H Coombes is 42088. I requested her to please find out the Place so I could visit the place; in order to help me she gave Crematorium contact number of Charing which is 01233712443. But when I called them they could not help me out as they do not have any person called J.H.H. Coombes detail on their Database so they gave me the number of BARHAM crematorium 01227831351.

End Result

When I called Barham Crematorium canterbury road A260 CT4 6QU

http://www.barham-crematorium.co.uk/contact.html,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ydVLhW68-Q&feature=youtu.be

I come to know that Remains of Colonel Coombes are present there after hearing this news I feel rejoice and excited. I asked the address which is 25 miles from Ashford. I ran toward my car and drove to the Crematorium, And there; I come to know that the exact Date of cremation of colonel coombe is 24 February 1978 and his remains (chita ki rakh) were spread on the centre of the Lime trees. Mission accomplished, And I am the first Petarian to visit the Colonel coombes Crematorium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acxi6M1ikNc&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw1O1rwOsR8&feature=youtu.be

Dear President, The Petarian Association Gul Metlo bhai jaan we are ready to travel to the Crematorium Please arrange one gathering thanks.

https://picasaweb.google.com/friend9443/JHHCoombesOctober112012

Regards,

Muhammad Khurram Ghauri,

9443 Jinnah.