Private Harry J. Corbeau

1911 - Yes, date unknown

• Name	Harry J. Corbeau
  Prefix	Private
  Born	CA 1911
  Gender	Male
  Military	WW2
  Misfortune	1944
  	lost leg in WW4
  Residence	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-229429
  Died	Yes, date unknown
  Person ID	I229429	Generations
  Last Modified	1 Dec 2024

  
  

  Father	Harvey Joseph Corbeau,   b. 16 Aug 1882, Penetanguishene, Tiny Township, Simcoe Co., Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1952  (Age 69 years)
  Mother	Melvina Matilda "Vina" Robertson,   b. 14 Jun 1893, , Ontario, Canada ,   d. 1972  (Age 78 years)
  Married	30 May 1912	Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada
  Family ID	F62608	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Jean Isabella "Florence" McComb,   b. 26 Aug 1911, Innisfil Township, Simcoe Co., Ontario ,   d. 13 Jan 1980, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  (Age 68 years)
  Last Modified	3 Dec 2024
  Family ID	F62607	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

  Harry J. Corbeau

  
  

• Notes

  Escapes Ambush, Loses Leg, Pte. H. J. Corbeau Returns Nov. 16, 1944 Lying in a British hospital about a month ago, Pte, Harry J. Corbeau, Kitchener, wrote to his wife: "I am hoping to be home in time for Christmas." The young Twin City soldier's hopes have become a reality, as a Canadian hospital train pulled into London today bringing him to M.D. headquarters to be greeted by his wife, the former Florence McComb, 15 Herlan Ave., and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Corbeau, 687 King St. W., Pte. Corbeau's small daughter was also on hand to greet her daddy who suffered the loss of one leg after being wounded in France. A STRETCHER CASE A stretcher case, Pte. Corbeau will probably be taken to Christie Street Hospital, Toronto, for further treatment. At the time he wrote expressing the hope of being back in Canada for the Yuletide season, Pte. Corbeau said, "I am keeping up my spirits so that they will consider me well enough to make the trip." The young soldier's adventures in France where he received his injuries, and his escape there are almost book like. The story related by his mother yesterday was gathered from pieces Pte. Corbeau wrote in letters and, from accounts sent by the Red Cross. It was a dark night in the middle of August when Pte, Corbeau with the rest of his company scuffled their way through a leafy road from Caen. RUN INTO AMBUSH Although weary the company was in good spirits. The battle of Caen had been won and they were on their way to new victories. Silhouetted against the sky on one side were waving stocks of wheat. Outside of the steady pounding of hundreds of boots against the gravel, all was quiet and serene. Suddenly the quiet wheat field turned into a screaming noisy hell. Machine guns rattled, tracer bullets flashed their way through the darkness, German officers in guttural voices shouted orders. Taken by complete surprise, the little Canadian company was literally wiped out. Men fell like so many nine pins before they quite realized what had happened. Riddled in both legs by scores of machine-gun bullets Pte. Corbeau dragged himeslf to a companion whom he heard moaning nearby. Since it was dark they might be able to get away. FOUND NEXT MORNING Together they dragged themselves painfully, through the darkness. Machine-gun bullets continued to whiz over their heads and men continued to fall. Slowly they made their way to a little gully nearby. Two more of their companions, also seriously injured, joined them. It was early morning when they were finally found, exhausted, a red trail of blood behind them. Given first aid, they were rushed to Allied lines where they received medical attention and kept in a hospital for two weeks before they were sent to England. Dangerously ill for some time, Pte. Corbeau had to have his one leg amputated when it was found all the arteries had been severed with bullets. Hope is held out that his other leg, also badly injured, might be saved. "I have much to be thankful for that our son has come back at all," said Mrs. Corbeau yesterday. "He could have been so easily killed." ENLISTED LAST YEAR Enlisting in June, 1943, Pte. Corbeau joined the Lincoln and Welland Regiment and arrived in England in December of the same year. He was with the second wave of reinforcements in the invasion. He attended the K-W Collegiate here, and for a number of years was employed at the Bank of Toronto, Waterloo. Prior to enlisting he was employed at Guelph. He is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Corbeau.

  
  

• Event Map

  Residence - - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth