Reginald Corbett
Reginald Corbett was born in Manchester England on the 2nd of March, 1895. He was the son of William Alfred Corbett and Lizette Keron Corstin. He immigrated to Canada in April of 1912, accompanied by his aunt and uncle, Rev. S.G. Pinnock and his wife, Madora, missionaries in Africa, and their two sons, Carey and Harold. To work in Toronto was not his intention and he obtained employment on the farm of Amon Birk in Rainham.
Mr. Corbett was working on the farm of Chelius Leggett near Rainham Centre, when he enlisted in January of 1916 in the 114th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces stationed in Dunnville, trained at Camp Borden, and went overseas later that year. In France he joined the Royal Canadian Regiment and was wounded at the Battle of Vimy Ridge on the 9th of April, 1917. He then served for the duration in France. Upon his return to Canada he was discharged from active duty on the 17th of March, 1919.
Mr. Corbett returned to Rainham and worked for various farmers until he bought the Bretzler farm on the Third Line in 1928 and married Lily Bretzler on the 27th of September, 1930. They had three children, Helen Keron, Mildred and John. After the farm was sold in 1969, Mr. and Mrs. Corbett resided in Selkirk for a number of years before moving to Hagersville.
Following a lengthy illness Mr. Corbett passed away at West Haldimand General Hospital on the 24th of September, 1986, in his 92nd year. He is survived by his wife Lily, 3 children, Helen Keron of Mississauga, Mildred of Hamilton, John and his wife Mary of Caledonia, five grandchildren and his 94-year-old sister, Mildred Corbett, of England and several brothers and sisters-in-law, and a host of friends, who held him in high esteem.
He was loved by all who knew him, a kind and loving husband and father and grandfather. He was a quiet unassuming man with a jolly sense of wit and humour, faithful and loyal to God and church.