Apr 6, 1891

Born in Dominionville, Ontario to John Martin and Flora (nee McDonell) Tobin

Mar 8, 1917

Attested into the 2^nd Battalion CEF Reinforcing Draft in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 2235334

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. Flora Tobin, mother, Apple Hill, Ontario

Ø  Previous occupation given as Accountant

o   He was employed at the Winchester, Ontario branch of the Royal Bank of Canada

Ø  No previous military experience given

Ø  Religion given as Roman Catholic

 
Promoted to the rank of Corporal on attesting and appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant

The 2^nd Battalion Reinforcing Draft embarked the SS Saxonia in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to Seaford where the draft was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion to continue training

On joining the 6^th Reserve Battalion, he reverted to the rank of Private

Jun 19, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 20, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Jul 8, 1917

After leaving the base depot, Private Tobin joined the 2^nd Canadian Entrenching Battalion in Hersin, France as part of a draft of 53 reinforcements destined to join the 21^st Battalion

Aug 21, 1917

After leaving the entrenching battalion he joined the 21^st Battalion in billets in Villers au Bois

Nov 3, 1917

On the night of November 2-3, the 21^st Battalion moved into the Passchendaele front with their headquarters at the Crest Farm.  Almost immediately they were attacked by German Storm Troopers.  That attack was repelled, but the battalion suffered many losses.  The Germans attacked again the following day with the same results.  The battalion listed the losses for the 2 days as 2 Officers killed, 1 Officer died of wounds, 2 Officers wounded, 41 Other ranks killed and 89 Other Ranks wounded.  According to an eye witness, Private Albert Edward Tobin was killed without a mark on him, a victim of Shell Shock.  He was later buried in the Tyne Cot Cemetery, south of Passchendaele, Belgium

Following the war, the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Flora Tobin, Apple Hill, Ontario

Albert Edward Tobin is honoured on a tablet in the
Royal Bank of Canada Headquarters

He is also honoured on the Lancaster, Ontario War Memorial

In addition, Albert Tobin is remembered on the War Memorial in
Peterborough, Ontario