Corbin, CRP

2nd Lieutenant Charles Robert Peel Corbin

Charles was born on September 20th 1893, the second child, and eldest son, of surgeon Eustace Corbin and his wife Lydia. Having attended the Prep before starting at the College, he went on to play for the rugby 3rd XV in the 1910-11 season, before leaving at the end of that year. From Dulwich he took up a position in the London County and Westminster Bank, as well as one in the West Kent Yeomanry army reservists. Whilst at the College he had also been an accomplished swimmer, winning the swimming shield for 1911, and after leaving he put this talent to use playing water polo; he was a member of the United Banks of London team, as well as Captain of the Kent County 2nd team.
When the war began his unit was mobilised and Charles received two promotions in short order, being promoted to Lance-Corporal very soon after, and then in the spring of 1915, to Corporal. Not long after this his unit sailed for Gallipoli, where he distinguished himself, being promoted once more to Sergeant as well as being mentioned for bravery in Regimental Orders three times. After the evacuation he was sent to Egypt where, in the summer of 1916, he took a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, being assigned to the Worcestershire Regiment. Having joined his new unit in Salonica he was leading his platoon in an attack on the night of the 10/11th of October when he was seriously wounded by machine gun fire. He passed away as a result of these injuries ten days later, on October 21st 1916.