Charles Augustus Coombs was born in Wimborne, Dorset, England in early 1867 and his birth was registered in the first quarter of that year. He was the son of George Edwin Coombs (1835-1902) and Mary Jane Kellaway (1933-1891), both natives of Dorset who had married in 1862. He had one known sibling, George (b. 1864).

Charles, better known as Augustus, was listed on the 1871 census as living with his family at West Street, Wimborne and his father was described as a master butcher.

Augustus was married in Southampton in 1891 to Annie Amelia West (b. 1867 in Lymington, Hampshire). Together they would have three children: Elsie Annie J. (b. 13 April 1894), Gladys Kathleen (b. 4 May 1897) and Nora Georgina (b. 3 April 1909).

On the 1901 census Augustus and his family were living at 9 Ivy Road, Itchen, Hampshire and he was described as a ship's baker for the merchant service. Also living there was his father George who would pass away the following year. On the 1911 census the family were now living at 78 Dukes Road, Portswood, Southampton and Augustus was described as a cook for the White Star Line.

When Augustus signed-on to the Titanic, on 9 April 1912, he gave his address as 78 Dukes Road, Southampton. His last ship had been the Olympic. As an assistant cook he received monthly wages of £4 10s.

Coombs died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Augustus' daughters Elsie and Nora never married and both died in 1970. His daughter Gladys was married in 1921 to Robert Dyer and she died in 1976 in Southampton. What became of Augustus' widow Annie is uncertain.