A First War Medal Pair to the Canadian Labour Battalion

British War Medal (760751 PTE. H.G. CORBETT. CAN. LABR. BN.); and Victory Medal (760751 PTE. H.G. CORBETT. CAN. LABR. BN.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, very light contact, near extremely fine. Footnote: Henry Gordon Corbett was born on September 15, 1894 (later changed to 1898) in Medicine Hat, Alberta, the son of R.H. Corbett (father) and M.B. Corbett (mother). He was a resident of New Westminster, British Columbia when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (760751) with the 121st Infantry Battalion "Western Irish", on January 7, 1916, in New Westminster, at the alleged age of 21 (he was actually 17, which was discovered later), naming his next-of-kin as his father, R.H. Corbett of New Westminster, stating that he had eleven days previous service with the Bugle Band of the 131st Infantry Battalion CEF, that he was Single and that his trade was that of Student. The Battalion was raised and mobilized in New Westminster, under the authority of G.O. 151, December 22, 1915. The Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the Empress of Britain, on August 14, 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A.W. McLelan with a strength of 32 officers and 1,033 other ranks, disembarking in England on the 24th. In England, the 121st Infantry Battalion was absorbed into the 16th Reserve Battalion. Four months later, in his Examination by a Standing Medical Board Report, dated December 15, 1916 at Bramshott, it was noted that he suffered from "Myalgia" (muscle pain, a symptom of many diseases and disorders) in his left shoulder muscles. Three weeks later, he was posted to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre at Bramshott, on January 7, 1917, followed by his transfer to the 3rd Canadian Labour Battalion on January 28th. He was attached to the Garrison Depot Battalion on February 9th, then struck off strength to the 4th Canadian Labour Battalion on February 17th. Private Corbett went overseas with the 4th Canadian Labour Battalion on March 14, 1917, disembarking at Le Havre, France on March 15th. By the Fall of 1917, it was discovered that he was underage for military service, his actual date of birth was claimed to be September 15, 1898, in a sworn declaration dated October 10, 1917. It was officially noted in his records that he was "not to be sent overseas until 19 years of age", although he was already in the French theatre but was soon to be leaving due to sickness. Private Corbett became very sick, contacting Influenza on October 13, 1917. He was evacuated from the front and admitted to No. 15 Casualty Clearing Station that day, then transferred to No. 2 Australian General Hospital at Wimereux, where he was admitted on October 17th. After one week at Wimereux, he was invalided "sick" to England and posted to the 1st Quebec Regimental Depot at Shoreham, on October 24th, followed by his admission to 1st Southern General Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham on October 25th. After five days at Birmingham, he was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom on October 30th. Upon his admission to Woodcote Park, it was noted that he "complained of pains in his chest and in the legs at night. Anemic." After two months treatment at Woodcote Park, he was discharged on December 28th, then posted to the 23rd Reserve Battalion. He was struck off strength on transfer to the General Depot at Shorncliffe, on February 19, 1918. Corbett, now age 19, was with the 4th Canadian Labour Battalion at the Canadian General Depot, when another report regarding his medical condition was issued. In his Proceedings of a Medical Board Report, dated February 23, 1918 at Shorncliffe, the doctor noted that Corbett "Complains of muscle pain in (his) left shoulder when carrying a pack. Slight scoliosis (concavity to the right) due to tilting of pelvis. No shortening of either leg." He was struck of strength of the General Depot upon transfer to the 1st Canadian Reserve Battalion at Seaford, on March 4, 1918. Corbett was with the 1st Canadian Reserve Battalion, when he was admitted to Ravenscroft Military Hospital at Seaford, then transferred to No. 14 General Hospital at Eastbourne, on April 10, 1918, having developed a case of the Mumps. The symptoms had begun on the 9th, the doctor noting on the 10th that Corbett's condition had started "as a swelling behind the left jaw". By April 12th, the right side had been affected, with Corbett experiencing a "stiffness and pain on chewing...both parotids enlarged and tender. All systems normal." The swelling had gone down by the 20th, and after twelve more days, he was discharged from hospital on May 2nd. He was posted to the British Columbia Regimental Depot on May 3, 1918 and placed on command to the 3rd Canadian Command Depot, then struck off strength to the 1st Canadian Reserve Battalion on June 6th. Corbett was now of legal age to fight in the European theatre and proceeded on draft to the 7th Infantry Battalion in France on September 4, 1918. He arrived at the Canadian Base Depot on September 5th, followed by his posting to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp on September 9th, before joining his new unit on the 11th. He reported "sick" to No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance "sick" on February 5, 1919 but was soon released. His tenure with the 7th Infantry Battalion in France would last only a little over six months. Upon the ceasing of hostilities, he proceeded to England on March 18, 1919, where he was posted to "A" Wing at the Canadian Concentration Camp at Kinmel Park, on March 19th. Private Corbett was with the 7th Infantry Battalion, when his Medical History of an Invalid report was issued, dated March 23, 1919 at Bramshott. His official date of birth was confirmed as September 18, 1898, which now made him 20 years of age. In the report, the doctor noted that Corbett had suffered a fracture to his left arm near the elbow in 1908, when he was thrown from a horse at the age of 10. He was experiencing weakness of his left arm, as his "shoulder sinks". The doctor went on to state that "This condition is only produced when marching with a pack or using a rifle." The muscles in his left arm were not as hard as those in his right arm, a very similar diagnosis as that issued in December of 1916. He was declared "Category A" (Fit for General Service). That was to be his last medical examination before leaving for home. Corbett proceeded to Canada, embarking Southampton aboard the S.S. Olympic, on April 14, 1919, arriving in Halifax on April 21st and posted to Dispersal Station "B", Military District No. 6. He was discharged upon demobilization at Dispersal Station "B", Military District No. 6 in Halifax, on April 29, 1919, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 147605. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.