Jake Corby signature

Jake Corby signed up in Deseronto on this day in 1916. He was born in the town on November 13th, 1891, the son of Louis Corby (a Mohawk born in Kahnewake) and Elizabeth (né Green), who was a Mohawk of the Bay of Quinte. His younger brother Harry had enlisted on February 5th, 1916.

Jake Corby joined the 155th Battalion with the regimental number 636647. He was five feet eight inches tall, with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair. In England, Jake was transferred to the 21st Battalion, which he joined on December 8th, 1916.

Corby’s service record shows that he was wounded at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, where he suffered gunshot wounds in the foot and leg on April 9th, 1917. He rejoined the 21st Battalion in September 1917 and was appointed Lance Corporal in June 1918. On October 11th 1918 he received gunshot and shell wounds to the leg, hip and abdomen at Avesnes-le-Sec (war diary entry).

Jake returned to Canada on the RMS Carmania on February 9th, 1919.

RMS Carmania

In 1921 Jake was back in Deseronto, living with his mother and his brother Harry in Fourth Street. He was working as a sailor.