Educated at the University of Edinburgh. He entered the Royal Navy as Surgeon on February 6th 1845; was promoted Staff Surgeon on February 25th 1853; Fleet Surgeon on October 10th 1867, and Deputy Inspector-General on retirement on November 14th 1880. He served in the Kafir War of 1851 as Surgeon to the native levies and was present at most of the skirmishes; for these services he received a Medal. In 1852 he had charge of the Field Hospital at the capture of Rangoon and took part in many boat expeditions in the river; he was mentioned in dispatches, promoted, and awarded the Burmese Medal. After his retirement Seccombe resided at Stockton House, Highland Road, Upper Norwood, SE, and died at Torquay on November 19th, 1909, being at the time one of the oldest retired Naval Surgeons.