Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St-Elois.

Eldest son of John Edward & Harriet Corbin of Vine Cottages, St Saviour, Jersey.

Killed in action, aged 26 years.

Notice of Death appears in Jersey Evening Post of Monday 4 December 1916

Canadian attestation papers

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Wednesday 14 October 1914

Letter from a Jerseyman on Active Service with the Canadian Contingent. Among the many Jerseymen forming part of the Canadian Contingent is Mr Harold Corbin, son of Mr & Mrs John Corbin of Vine Cottages, St Saviours, who has been 4 years with the Canadian Pacific Railway. The following letter has been received by his family "No doubt you will be very much surprised to hear that I am in Plymouth and so near home sweet home. As I told you I am in the 1st Canadian Contingent who left Quebec on 30 September and arrived here yesterday, but have not docked yet. It was quite a sight - 37 ships in all in three lines. I am going to try very hard to get a few days off when we get settled so as to run across and see you all. I met a fellow on board the boat with whom I went to school, Jim Riley. We do not know where our destination is but I think we will have to go through a course of training in England for a while. We had a very good voyage across although a long one; all the boats were in darkness and escorted by warships, our ship was also well armed. I felt good until I got vaccinated then for a week I felt pretty bad. I am better now but for one arm which is a little sore." Mr Corbin, with his letter, sends on one of the standard Valcartier Camp souvenirs which contains a number of splendid photographs, the majority of which were taken at the Camp, the cover is adorned with a photograph of Colonel the Honourable Sam Hughes, Minister of Militia, and inside are pictures of officers at Valcartier, the men giving three cheers for His Majesty, the wonderful City of Tents, British and French warships off Quebec and artillery at Valcartier.

 

 

Corporal Harold John Corbin
Canadian Divisional Cyclist Company
24/11/1916

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Friday 1 December 1916

Roll of Honour. We regret to state that news has today been received in the Island that Corporal Henry Corbin of the Canadian Cyclist Corps has been killed in action. The deceased, who was the son of Mr & Mrs John Corbin of Vine Cottage, St Saviour, was 26 and gave up a good position in Canada to join the Colours. We tender the bereaved family our sincere sympathy.

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Monday 4 December 1916

Roll of Honour. The parents of the late Corporal Harold Corbin of the Canadians who was killed in action recently have received the following letter from the Sergeant of their son's section. It reads "A Company Canadian Corps Cyclists Battalion. 25/11/16 Dear Mrs Corbin, It is with great regret and sorrow that I write to inform you that your son Harry was killed in action yesterday. He was shot in the stomach by a sniper whilst on duty in the trenches and passed away peacefully five minutes afterwards. He was unconscious when brought in and did not speak before he died. He was buried today at 11am by the Padre of the Princess Pat's Light Infantry in a quiet cemetery behind the line and I will make it my duty to see that his grave is properly cared for. All the NCOs and men wish me to express their deepest sympathy for you in your great loss. He will be greatly missed by everyone, his cheery optimism always kept his men in good spirits and he was a favourite with us all. I have a few postcards he left with me and I will send them on by registered mail as soon as possible. Harry was my Corporal and we were very good friends, I have lost a good friend and a first class man.
Assuring you of my deepest sympathy, I am yours sincerely, RUFUS HARVEY. Sergeant".