Frederick Corbett

The Maldon District’s only Victoria Cross recipient forfeited his medal, died in the workhouse and was buried in an unmarked grave – but his bravery is still honoured in the town.

If you visit Maldon Cemetery, among the many war graves you will find one commemorating Private Frederick Corbett VC – the district’s only recipient of the country’s highest medal for honour, awarded only for “most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy”.

Yet this official headstone remembering his bravery was only put up in 2004 - the war hero had died in Maldon Union Workhouse in 1912 and been buried in an unmarked grave after being one of just eight of 1,358 Victoria Cross recipients to have their medal taken away from them.

His strange story began in 1853 when he was born and given the name David Embleton. He joined the British Army in 1873, serving in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, but for some unknown reason registered under the name Frederick Corbett. He initially served in Britain, but in 1879 he went with the Battalion to South Africa where he fought in the First Boer War.

In 1882 he was sent to Egypt, where a revolution was taking place, to protect the Suez Canal. During a reconnaissance mission, a small group of riflemen came under heavy fire from Egyptian forces, and Lieutenant Howard Vyse was seriously wounded. While his companions took cover, Corbett stayed in the open, totally exposed, trying to protect the dying lieutenant and stop his bleeding, before helping to carry him from the battlefield. His bravery was recognised with the presentation of the Victoria Cross in Cairo in March 1883.

History doesn’t record whether he suffered physical injury or, more likely, mental trauma from the incident, but he was discharged from the Army as medically unfit in June 1883. Facing financial ruin, Corbett, who was then believed to be struggling with alcohol, sold his medals a year afterwards and re-enlisted in the Royal Horse Artillery. A string of problems followed, and before he was discharged on medical grounds again in 1891, he had been court-marshalled for going absent without leave, theft and striking an officer, which resulted in his name being removed from the VC register and his VC pension being cancelled. He ended his days in the workhouse, dying in 1912 aged 59.

When George V came to the throne, he declared that no longer would anyone forfeit a Victoria Cross, no matter what they did in later life, stating in 1920: “Even were a VC to be hanged for murder, he should be allowed to wear the Cross on the scaffold." In 2004 a military ceremony at the cemetery in London Road, Maldon, unveiled the headstone recognising Frederick Corbett's bravery and a bugler from the Royal Green Jackets sounded the Last Post.

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Maldon Cemetery & Commonwealth War Graves

Maldon Cemetery dates back to 1855 and the older parts of the cemetery are both havens for wildlife and fascinating places to visit. The cemetery is home to 21 Commonwealth War Graves.
1. 1 Jan 000131 Dec 9999
2. 1 Jan 000131 Dec 9999
The Blue Boar

One of the architectural gems of Maldon, part of this quaint pub and hotel date back to the 14th century. The oldest part of the complex is the timber framed range immediately to the left as you pass through the coaching archway from Silver Street, this dates back to the second half of the 14th century. In the 1750’s the Blue Boar was a stopping off point for the Maldon Stage ‘fly’ a coach which ran between Southminster and Aldgate, London and by the turn of the century was one of the principal coaching inns in the town. Today, the inn has gained further reputation as an ale house with usually 5 fresh ales on tap brewed on site at the Stable Brewery
Former Maldon Union Workhouse

Today, St Peter's Hospital in Spital Road is a valuable NHS centre, but the grand buildings have an interesting history. Built in 1872 to replace the smaller workhouse on Market Hill, the new Union Workhouse could hold up to 450 inmates and had its own chapel, mortuary and kitchen.

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Maldon East and Heybridge Railway Station (Disused)

Address

Station House, Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ

Maldon

Maldon East and Heybridge railway station served the town of Maldon and nearby village of Heybridge between 1848 and 1964.
St Mary the Virgin

Address

Church Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8QB

Telephone
01621 786066

stmaryschurchburnham@outlook.com

Burnham-on-Crouch

Affectionately known as St Mary's, there has been a church on this site since 1155, possibly even earlier, and as such the fabric of the building reflects a long and eventful history.
Tommy Garden War Memorial

Address

Corner of Chapel Road and High Street, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8AA

Burnham-on-Crouch

Burnham’s Memorial Garden, known locally as the Tommy Garden, is a little haven of peace and quiet dedicated to the memories of soldiers who died in the First World War. On the corner of Chapel Road, within sight of the main war memorial, the garden…
The Moot Hall

Address

High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PF

Telephone
01621 851553

manager@themoothall.co.uk

Maldon

This 15th Century former manorial home houses a unique brick spiral staircase, a Georgian court room, a former prison and a Victorian Council Chamber.
Maldon United Reformed Church URC

Address

Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

Telephone
01621 859365

info@maldonurc.org.uk

Maldon

The original modest chapel on this site was replaced by this handsome building in 1801. This was as a result of the popularity of the resident preacher Reverend Joseph Billio. His enthusiasm and inspirational energy had caused the congregation to…
The Quaker Hall

Address

Butt Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HD

contact@midessexquakers.org.uk

Maldon

The Quaker Hall
Burnham United Reformed Church URC

Address

Station Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HF

Telephone
01621 783393

Burnham-on-Crouch

Burnham-on-Crouch United Reformed Church (URC) has a modern building in Station Road and meets for worship on Sunday mornings at 10.30am as well as hosting a wide range of groups and events throughout the week, including youth clubs, children's…
St Margaret's Church Woodham Mortimer

Address

Maldon Road, Woodham Mortimer, CM9 6SN

Woodham Mortimer

Pretty St Margaret's Church dates from the 12th century, but the majority of the Grade II Listed building was reconstructed in the 19th century. Features include a 13th century font and an interesting graveyard with an impressive raised memorial to…
St Mary the Virgin church Tollesbury

Address

Church Street, Tollesbury, CM9 8QJ

Telephone
07908 776750

office.blackwaterbenefice@gmail.com

Tollesbury

St Mary the Virgin is a beautiful Grade II* Listed church in the village of Tollesbury. The nave and part of the tower date back to the 11th century and incorporate reused Roman bricks and tiles. Inside there is an interesting font and brass and the…
Woodham Mortimer Hall - Blue Plaque Site

Address

Woodham Mortimer Hall, Maldon Road, Woodham Mortimer, CM9 6SN

Woodham Mortimer

Woodham Mortimer Hall is a private home, with no public access. The 15th century hall with its distinctive brick chimneys, heavily redeveloped in the early 17th century, was the home of obstetrician Dr Peter Chamberlen whose family invented the…
St Lawrence Heritage Church

Address

Saint Lawrence Hill, Steeple, Essex, CM0 7LN

Telephone
01621 776203

Steeple

This active rural parish church, situated on a hilltop overlooking the Blackwater Estuary provides exhibitions and community activities. Light refreshments available.
Buoys of Burnham-on-Crouch

Address

Various locations:, Burnham Yacht Harbour in Foundry Lane, Belvedere Road and Coronation Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8BL

Belvedere Road and Coronation Road, Burnham-on-Crouch

If you walk around Burnham-on-Crouch look out for the three large buoys that now decorate the street scene. These historic buoys were once out in the water of the Crouch estuary, helping to guide ships safetly home, but when they were replaced at…
St Andrew's Church, Althorne

Address

Fambridge Road, Althorne, Essex, CM3 6BY

lucientaylor@yahoo.co.uk

Althorne

St Andrew's is a Grade II listed building with a tower dating back to around 1500, although it is in need of restoration and funds are being raised. It has a modern church hall available for hire.
St Andrew's Church

Address

The Street, Heybridge, Essex, CM9 4NB

Telephone
01621 857004

Heybridge

A Grade I Listed building, this 12th century church was restored during the 15th century to its present condition. Seating for 200 including choir, with wheel chair access and hearing aid loop system.
Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Sea Lock

Address

Lock Hill, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RX

Heybridge Basin

Heybridge Basin's famous sea lock links the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation to the Blackwater Estuary and would once have enabled smaller boats to enter and exit the canal and travel around the coastline. Today it is can still be used by suitable…
Woodham Walter War Memorials & Commonwealth War Graves

Address

Woodham Walter, CM9 6RF

Woodham Walter

War memorials in the village of Woodham Walter include a Memorial Shelter, a Memorial Garden and a Memorial Clock on the parish church. The churchyard also contains two Commonwealth War Graves.
Elim Church Maldon (Pentecostal)

Address

17 Wantz Road, Maldon, CM9 5DB

Telephone
07940 830855

rob_sefton@hotmail.com

Maldon

Maldon's Elim Pentecostal Church is the home of the Maldon Food Pantry food bank as well as a centre for worship. Normal Sunday services are at 11:00 and all are very welcome.
All Saints' Church, Maldon

Address

High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4QE

Telephone
01621 853470

Maldon

Our doors are open to everybody of all faiths – all are welcome in this house. Come along to one (or more) of our services or any of the many events held in this beautiful old building. We guarantee you a warm and friendly reception.
St Peter's Church, Goldhanger

Address

Church Street, Goldhanger, Essex, CM9 8AS

Goldhanger

St. Peter’s Church is central to the spirit of the village and the close community here. We hold services on the second Sunday of the month at 10:00am and a family service every other week.
All Saints' Church, Ulting

Address

Church Rd, Ulting, Essex, CM9 6QU

Telephone
01245 380958

info@hatfieldpeverelultingchurches.org.uk

Ulting

All Saints Church stands in a picturesque setting on the River Chelmer. It is Grade II* Listed and was built in 1150, with a barrel vaulted chancel roof. There is a Commonwealth War Grave in the churchyard.

The Maldon District’s only Victoria Cross recipient forfeited his medal, died in the workhouse and was buried in an unmarked grave – but his bravery is still honoured in the town.

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