Commanding Officer 48th Highlanders of Canada 1958 – 1961
Keith Campaigne Bowerman “Casey” Corbett was born May 20,1920 in Toronto, Ontario, to parents William Frederick Corbett and Sadie May “Sada” Bowerman. He had three siblings: Frederick James Bowerman Corbett (b. 1910), Vaughan B. Corbett (b. 1911), and Dawson Francis Bowerman Corbett (b. 1913). The family resided at 77 Constance Street in Toronto’s Parkdale neighborhood during the 1921 Census.
He initially remained in the UK until September 1943 until Lt “Casey” Corbett arrived as a reinforcement officer at the Divisional Reinforcement Pool. From there he was tasked to deliver a message to his new unit by motorcycle. He mistakenly crossed into enemy lines and was taken prisoner. His brother Lt Dawson Corbett was part of a small group of Highlanders attached to British 1st Army in February 1943. was attached to the British 1st Army also served with the unit and was wounded
After he arrived back in Toronto July 16th 1945 he remained with the 48th Highlanders. Major Corbett and Pipe Sergeant Ross Stewart represented the Regiment at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953. He succeeded LCol HK MacIntosh as CO of the 48th Highlanders in 1958. He was commanding when the Regiment received new colours from the Colonel in Chief in 1959.
In civilian life he was a partner in the uniform manufacturing firm of Corbett and Crowley. In the 1970s he retired to Brighton, and periodically wrote for the regional newspaper.
The following is from Connie Corbett – Casey’s Daughter:
The [POW] camps were Commonwealth camps in Germany and Italy. In his log, he has addresses for men in other countries, eg. New Zealand, England, Australia, S Africa, they kept in touch. I remember some visiting us in Toronto. How can 17 months in prison camps not change one for life? Typically he did not talk of his time as a POW.It seems as if much time in prison camp was spent putting on plays. He had been in plays at Queens.On April 29th each year 3 couples would have a Liberation Day dinner together, including Ian and Phyl Douglas. Ian had been in the same camps.
Dad was born in Toronto on May 20, 1920. I’m not clear when he lived in Toronto, when in Montreal.He died in Brighton Ontario in 1997. His maternal ancestors were UEL [United Empite Loyalists], Prince Edward County.The family business was Corbett Cowley, they made Doctors and Nurses uniforms. One of our neighbours had the last tailor made uniform and cap for TGH from CC, 1970’s. After the war, other vets returned to university. Dad had to take over the family business, his father had died in 1941 or 1942.Dad stayed with the 48th, was CO and remained involved until he moved to Brighton in the mid 1970’s. He would go to the Mess every Fri. night. We would often go to the armouries on University Avenue as a family, the kids ran around the parade square. In Brighton he was very active with the Legion, Remembrance Day parades etc.Dad was the youngest of 4 sons. He attended UCC [Upper Canada College] in Toronto then Queens. (A couple of his brothers attended RMC). He left Queens after 3rd year to sign up with the 48th. So many of his generation signed up.Uncle Vaughan, the eldest, was a fighter pilot. He was shot down in the Battle of Britain and flew again. He died later on a training flight in Quebec. I think he is mentioned in one of Ted Barris’ books. There is a stone for Uncle Vaughan at the RCAF Museum in Trenton, one for Dad in Brighton. Uncle Dawson died during the War. Uncle Bill was with the military at Camp Borden, later joined the family business.Dad was CO when Queen Elizabeth visited Toronto in 1959 for the trouping of the colours. I have sent a photo of that and of the letter of appreciation he received.Dad married Mom, Beatrice Grant of Kingston in Aug. 1945, soon after he returned from the war. They had met at Queens. Mom was a WREN, broke Japanese code on the West Coast. For this she was awarded the Bletchley Park Award a couple of years before she died at age 96. She and other WRENs founded Navy Park in Kingston “For those who Serve”.Offspring-Vaughan 1946-2013, Connie, 1948, Cathi 1952, Jamie 1954. We grew up in N Toronto.
The family cottage was at Presqu’ile near Brighton. There were 3 lovely wooden cottages on L Ont in what would become the Park. They were built from kits from the Eaton’s catalogue. The Park expropriated two, including ours, in the mid 1970’s.
Dad was gregarious, often “The Life of the Party”. He was a good father, a good husband, a good friend. He liked to cook, sail, ski and play badminton.
Is there a record in the museum of the dates the Mighty 48th recorded the album of songs with Columbia Records with Pipes Major A. DEWAR, CD, and Drum Major W. ELMS?
1958. However the original name of the albums is Here Comes the Famous 48th. The “Mighty” version was released by Fontana in 1961 for US distribution