Wilfred Taylor Corbishley ran a coal, heating oil and builders’ supply business in Duncan. He was Initiated in Temple Lodge, No 33, in 1921, Passed and Raised in 1922.
Wilfred Corbishley was active in the local community, serving as a member of Duncan City Council, on the executive of the Duncan Chamber of Commerce and the Cowichan Agricultural Society.
His former home at 1080 Islay Street is still standing. According to his obituary (see below) Wilfred Corbishley maintained gardens and fruit trees around his home. These are no longer evident.
Wilfred Taylor Corbishley demitted from Temple Lodge, No. 33 in 1943, when he moved from Duncan to Victoria.
Here is a brief biography of Wilfred Taylor Corbishley taken from local newspaper reports of his death and funeral:
“Corbishley – It was with regret that his friends in this district heard of the sudden death last Thursday of Mr. Wilfred Taylor Corbishley at his home in Victoria.
Formerly of Duncan, Mr. Corbishley left with his wife three years ago to make his home in Victoria. Though he had been in poor health for some time the end was unexpected. He was in his garden when he suddenly collapsed.
He was born at Macclesfield, Cheshire, England and educated at the grammar school there. Coming to Duncan in 1912 from Penticton, he managed the Duncan branch of the Vancouver Milling & Grain Co. Ltd., for five years. It was then operated in a building situated north of the present E&N freight shed, which has since been demolished.
For over 25 years he conducted his own coal and builders’ supply business in Duncan, selling out to Stewart & Duncan in 1946. On retirement, Mr. Corbishley sold his home in Duncan and, with Mrs. Corbishley, moved to Victoria.
During his long residence in the district Mr. Corbishley had taken an active interest in all community affairs. He was an alderman of the City of Duncan for eight years, an executive member of Duncan Chamber of Commerce for five years, a director of Cowichan Agricultural Society for over 15 years.
To these positions of trust he brought a sound business knowledge, practical assistance and years of intelligent, consistent hard work.
But perhaps he was equally well known for his years of membership in Cowichan Cricket ans Sports Club, which he joined in 1918. He was an enthusiastic cricketer of marked ability, and at all times gave splendid encouragement to the game in the district. It was only within recent years that he had been compelled, through ill health, to give up active participation in a sport which he loved.
When Mr. Corbishley lived on Islay Street he spent many happy hours in his garden, which was beautifully cared for and a picturesque sight at all times. He was an expert orchardist and won many prizes for his fruit at Cowichan Fall fairs.
Besides his wife, Mr. Corbishley leaves one brother, George, Penticton; and two nephews, Donald Corbishley, Oliver, and Herbert Corbishley, Penticton.
Funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon in Victoria, the Rev. A.H. Cummings, B.A., L.Th., of Christ Church Cathedral, officiating. A cremation service was held in the chapel at Royal Oak Burial Park.
The lovely floral tributes were placed at the cenotaph in the Parliament Building grounds.
Honorary pallbearers were Messrs. J.N. Pickering and R.X. Chisholm, both of Victoria; James Greig, Victoria, formerly of Duncan; Stephen Hoskins and A.H. Soule, both of Duncan. Active pallbearers were: Messrs. J.Y. Copeman, H.W. Gibson and R. Foster, all of Victoria; John W. Armour, Victoria, formerly of Duncan; and William Evans, Duncan.”
(Source: Cowichan Leader, 25 August 1949 – from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)
Would you like to leave a comment or question about anything on this page?