Andrew Corbet

Born on 28 July 1824 at Acton Reynald in Shropshire, Andrew George Corbet was the second son of Sir Andrew Vincent Corbert, 2nd Bart.

In 1844 he joined the Army as an Ensign in the 52nd Light Infantry, having previous served as a Cornet in the Salopian Yeomanry Cavalry. In 1847 he became a Lieutenant (by purchase), and in 1851 a Captain (also by purchase). In 1872 he attained the rank of Major in the service of the 3rd Administrative Battalion of the Derbyshire Rifles.

On 19 April 1853 at Barlaston he married Mary Elizabeth Adderley, eldest daughter of Ralph Adderley of Barlaston Hall in Staffordshire and Coton Hall, Hanbury, also in Staffordshire.

The couple appear on the 1861 census living at Grove Hall in the village of Sturston in Derbyshire. The household included four servants.

When the census was taken in 1871 they were again at Grove Hall, now with five servants. Andrew gave as his profession ‘Capt. Derby. Volunteers.’ He also mentioned his ’39 acres of land.’

The Corbets were still at Grove Hall in 1891. Their five servants included a butler and coachman.

Major Andrew Corbet died, aged 75, on 21 June 1900. He was buried in the churchyard of St Oswald’s in Ashbourne. Inside the church a stained glass window by Kempe commemorates his life.

According to his obituary in the local paper, his ‘long association with and kindly interest in every good work in the town and neighbourhood had endeared him to all classes, who held him in the highest esteem and respect as a fine type of an English gentleman’ (Ashbourne News Telegraph, 29 June 1900).

Photographed by Camille Silvy of London on 24 June 1862.