Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Michael Corbey was born in Willoughby, New South Wales, in 1883. On 24 September 1915, he married Kathleen White. They were living at 2 Rowena Place, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, when six months later, Corbey enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 14 March 1916 at the age of 32.

Corbey was assigned service number 6243 and embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Euripides on 9 September 1916 as part of the 20th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion AIF. During the voyage to England, he was caught gambling and was punished with the forfeiture of two days’ pay. He disembarked at Plymouth on 26 October 1916 and proceeded to France on 4 February 1917, joining the 3rd Battalion on 12 February 1917, along with 90 other reinforcements. The battalion was refitting at Bazentin after having recently come out of the front line.

In mid-February 1917, the battalion received orders to move to Dernancourt. However, these orders were rescinded as the Germans began to withdraw to positions around Bapaume, resulting in a rapid Allied advance through difficult, muddy terrain.

Throughout 1917, the 3rd Battalion was heavily involved in operations against the Hindenburg Line and around Ypres. Corbey’s service records show no absences, indicating he remained with the unit continuously during this period.

From 20 to 24 April, the 3rd Battalion was in the line, occupying outposts around Doignies and Demicourt. On 3 May, the Battalion was in support around Noreuil and Vaulx as part of the Second Battle of Bullecourt. Although in support initially, the Battalion was ordered to relieve the battered 6th Brigade AIF and, after doing so, withstood German counterattacks, including assaults by troops armed with flamethrowers. Despite intense bombardment and numerous attacks, the Battalion held its ground but suffered heavy casualties—56 killed, 245 wounded, and eight missing.

After Bullecourt, the 3rd Battalion was withdrawn and underwent a period of rebuilding and training, moving between camps at Vaulx, Riencourt, and Buire. By August 1917, the Battalion was nearly back to full strength and shifted to the Ypres sector, where it took part in the attack on Broodseinde Ridge on 4 October. The Battalion advanced through heavy German defences, capturing several pillboxes and trenches, but it was at the cost of 51 killed and 170 wounded.
After Broodseinde, the Battalion remained in the area, where they endured miserable conditions in waterlogged trenches under constant shellfire when in the trenches. By 31 December, they were back in the line at Oosttaverne in the Messines-Wytschaete sector, continuing their rotation in and out of the front lines throughout the winter.

In April 1918, the 3rd Battalion fought in the defence of Hazebrouck, a key rail junction, during the German Spring Offensive, where suffered significant casualties during the defence, losing one officer and 43 men killed, and four officers and 85 men wounded.

On 26 May 1918, while in the line at Strazeele, Michael Corbey was wounded by a bullet to the right hand and another to the cheek. He was evacuated to England and did not return to active service. He was repatriated to Australia aboard HMAT Runic on 23 September 1918 and was discharged in Sydney on 12 May 1919.

Corbey received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service. He died in New South Wales on 19 July 1960.