William Harry Coombs (15 July 1893 – 23 June 1969) was a British sailor, insurance company founder, barrister and trade union leader.
Just 4 feet 10 tall, Coombs trained on HMS Conway, then began his career surveying the Hooghly River.
The following year, he travelled to Shanghai to undertake cartographic work, and during the course of this became aware that there was no insurance covering officers in the service.
[1] On returning to the United Kingdom, Coombs founded the Navigators' and General Insurance Company.
This proved successful, and in 1928, he founded the Officers (Merchant Navy) Federation, bringing together various small bodies representing this group.