9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
19/06/1895
Died:
07/06/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age:
21
Summary
James Corbett was a son of John and Eliza Corbett. He was born on 19th June 1895 in Dungannon. His father was a farm labourer. James was a linen weaver. Private Corbett was seriously wounded on the 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. He had been struck four times, two bullets in his body and had shrapnel wounds to his hand and knee. Private James Corbett was killed in action on 7th June 1917 during the opening phase of the Battle of Messines.
Further Information
James Corbett was a son of John and Eliza Corbett. John Corbett and Eliza Galway were married in Dungannon on 19th May 1876. James Corbett was born on 19th June 1895 in Dungannon.
The 1901 census records the James as age 6 living with the family at house 7 in Lurgacullion, Killeshil, Dungannon. His father was a farm labourer.
By the time of the 1911 census, the James and the family had moved to Cookstown and were living in Killymoon Demesne. James had left school and was working as a linen weaver.
Family: John Corbett, Eliza Corbett, Isabella Corbett (born 22nd November 1878, Clogher), Arthur Corbett (born 11th September 1882, Clogher), Eliza Corbett (born 18th July 1884, Clogher), Sarah Corbett (29th October 1885, Clogher), Minnie L / Mary Corbett (born 22nd February 1887, Clogher), Charles Corbett (born 26th July 1889, Clogher), Emma Corbett (born 23rd March 1893, Dungannon), James Corbett (born 19th June 1895, Dungannon), Thomas A Corbett (born 5th May 1897, Dungannon).
James Corbett enlisted in the Army at Finner Camp, Ballyshannon, County Donegal.
Private Corbett was seriously wounded on the 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. He had been struck four times, two bullets in his body and had shrapnel wounds to his hand and knee.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 8th July 1916: Cookstown Soldiers Wounded in Big Push
Private Corbett, Killymoon Street, Cookstown
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 15th July 1916:
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 29 July 1916:
Mr Henry Wilkinson, Blackhill, Cookstown, whose son Jacob had been reported missing, has received a postcard from the front, dated 16th July 1916, stating he was quite well.
James spent a few weeks recovering at Edmunton Military Hospital and needed an operation. On Monday 21st August 1916 he was sent to Tipperary where he had to undergo further surgery for the wound to his hand. He was quoted at the time as saying, ‘I hope to get back to my comrades at the front.’
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 19th August 1916: Wounded Cookstown Soldiers Home
Private James Corbett, of the 9th Inniskillings, who took part in the famous offensive on 1st July, and who was seriously wounded early in the day, is at present home on sick leave. He is a son of Mr John Corbett, Killymoon Street, Cookstown, and joined the Ulster Division soon after its formation. He was struck four times, two bullets in his body and also wounds on his hand and knee. He was for some weeks in Edmonton Military Hospital where he went through an operation. On Monday he goes to a hospital in Tipperary where he is to have some shrapnel removed from his right hand. He expects to be on light duty for about three months, after which he hopes to be fit for another go at the Boche. Considering the seriousness of his wounds, his quick recovery is marvellous, only his youth and unusual vitality pulling him through, as he was in a state of collapse from loss of blood before receiving temporary aid. His one desire at present is to be well enough to go back to his comrades in the danger zone.
Private James Corbett was killed in action on 7th June 1917 during the opening phase of the Battle of Messines.
Cookstown lost five other men during the opening stages of the Battle of Messines. Three of them lie in known graves, William George Hill, Joe Mitchell, and Samuel Junk. John Rush is commemorated on the Menin Gate, panel 22, and New Zealander William John Crooks (born in Lissan), was killed two days into the battle and is named on Messines Ridge Memorial.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 8th June 1918:
CORBETT – In loving memory of Private James Corbett, the 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, dearly beloved son of John and Eliza Corbett, Killymoon Street, Cookstown, who was killed in action in France on 7th June 1917
“This day brings to our memory our dear son who has gone to rest,
And those who think of him tonight are those who loved him best,
But the hardest part is still to come when the heroes do return,
And we, missing among the cheering crowd the face of our dear son.”
Sadly missed by his loving father, mother, and brother.
Private James Corbett has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.
Private Corbett is commemorated locally on Cookstown Cenotaph and 2nd Presbyterian Cookstown Memorial.
The CWGC record Private James Corbett as the son of Elizabeth Corbett, of Killymoon Street, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, and the late John Corbett.
