RICHARD CORSBIE

Serving as a soldier required all men to delve deeply into their reserves of personal courage. Some men perform their duties with exceptional bravery, and are occasionally recognised for this. One of these men was Sergeant Richard Corsbie, who was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 15 September 1918. His citation reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while one of a patrol of one officer and four other men which were suddenly engaged by thirty of the enemy. The patrol was forced to retire, and on the arrival at their trenches the officer was found to be missing. Corporal Corsbie with another man immediately went back and found the officer severely wounded. He bandaged him while his comrade kept the enemy back with bombs and rifle fire, and finally they carried him back to the trenches. This non-commissioned officer by his courage and coolness saved the officer's life and prevented the enemy from securing identification.

Rossignol Wood, 7 August 1918.”

He was 42 years old when he won this medal, so one wonders if he concealed his age when he enlisted in September 1916. Not a model soldier, he was given two days CB at Trentham for “using obscene language to an NCO.” He was posted to the 4th Battalion of the Rifles Brigade in early November 1917, and after a brief detachment with the New Zealand Engineers in December, he rejoined his unit and moved to the Somme in March to take part in the defence of Amiens. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in April 1918, possibly to make up losses as a result of these bloody engagements, and promoted to full Corporal three weeks later. In August, he was temporarily promoted to Sergeant, to replace Sergeant Rosenfeldt, no doubt a further recognition of his brave actions at Rossignol Wood. This rank was confirmed on 23 September when he replaced Sergeant Pascoe, who was sent to England for officer training. He was killed in action at Lesdain on 8 October 1918 and is buried in the Anneux British Cemetery. He is commemorated on his parents' headstone in the Papanui cemetery (see opposite), but curiously, is not mentioned on any other memorial in the district.

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