Frederick Corbett

Frederick Corbett VC (17 September 1853 – 25 September 1912) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Corbett was born on 17 September 1853 in Maldon, Essex. His name at birth was David Embleton.

Details
Corbett was 28 years old, and a Private in the 3rd Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, British Army during the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

The Citation in The London Gazette on 16 February 1883 read "During the reconnaissance upon, Kafr Dowar, Egypt, on 5 August 1882, the Mounted Infantry, with which Private Corbett was serving, came under a hot fire from the enemy and suffered some loss, including Lieutenant Howard Vyse, mortally wounded. This officer fell in the open, and there being then no time to move him, Private Corbett asked and obtained permission to remain by him, and though under a constant fire, he sat down and endeavoured to stop the bleeding of this officer's wounds, until the Mounted Infantry received orders to retire, when he rendered valuable assistance in carrying him off the field"

Further information
Corbett served in the Army between 1873 and 1891. He was one of eight men whose VCs were forfeited. He was stripped of the medal on 30 July 1884 after being convicted of embezzlement and theft from an officer.

Death
He died in Maldon Union Workhouse on 25 September 1912. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Maldon cemetery. Then a regimental headstone was placed over the grave and in a simple ceremony on 16 April 2004 the headstone which was covered in the regimental flag of the 60th Rifles was unveiled by Lieutenant General Sir Christopher Wallace.

The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum in Winchester, England.