Deseronto Archives

On this day in 1916 Joseph Corby, a sailor, signed up in Deseronto. He was born on October 10th, 1874, the son of Louis Corby (a Mohawk born in Kahnewake) and Elizabeth (né Green), who was a Mohawk of the Bay of Quinte. His two younger brothers, Jake and Harry, had already enlisted. Joseph married Mary Frances Maracle on April 1st, 1897 in Tyendinaga. By 1911 they had two sons and were living in Park Street, Deseronto. Joseph’s eldest son, Sam, enlisted in February 1915.

Joseph joined the 155th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force with the regimental number 637096. He was five feet seven and three quarter inches tall, with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.

Corby’s service record shows that he was examined by a medical board on September 6th, 1916 and discharged from the army for being medically unfit.

10. (a) Disease or disability. Over age. Bunions both feet, right eye blind.
(b) Date of origin. Prior to Enlistment
(c) Place of origin. Unknown.
(d) Cause. Unknown.

11. Present Condition. (Most Important). (To include full description of present disabling condition or conditions.) Shows marks of senility, large painfull bunions both feet, blind in right eye.

In the 1921 census, Mary Corby and her two sons were living in College Street, Deseronto. She was described as a widow.