Harry Colebourn

Captain Harry Colebourn was born in Birmingham, England, on April 12, 1887. He studied at the University of Guelph and became a veterinary surgeon, working in Winnipeg Manitoba. He served in the Canadian Militia with the Fort Garry Horse from May 1913 to September 1914, when he travelled to Valcartier to enlist with the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. They embarked in early October from Gaspe Bay on the S. S. Manitou, arriving two weeks later in Davenport England. From there the Brigade travelled to Salisbury Plain for in depth training. 

Capt. Colebourn was not travelling alone. While his train from Winnipeg was stopped at White River to take on supplies, he bought a black bear cub from a trapper that had shot its mother. He named it “Winnie” after his hometown, and Winnie became the Brigade’s popular mascot. However, when they were getting ready to be sent to France it was not possible for Winnie to accompany them. Capt. Colebourn made arrangements with the London Zoo to house and exhibit Winnie for the duration of his posting in France. It was there that author A. A. Milne took his son, Christopher Robin, who quickly came to love the friendly black bear. Mr. Milne based his Winnie-the-Pooh stories on this bear, and his son. 

The unit shipped over to France in April, and Capt. Colebourn was transferred to the Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, caring for the horses that carried the guns to battle. Before the war he'd had a bout of rheumatic fever which left him with a weak heart. It caused episodes of shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, and an inclination to become easily fatigued. This was diagnosed as Disorderly Action of the Heart, and was brought on by periods of stress. It’s likely that this condition contributed to several bouts of influenza, one of which required Capt. Colebourn to have three months of sick leave back in Canada to recuperate. 

Nevertheless, Capt. Colebourn was a dedicated veterinarian, caring to the needs of the animals that were under his care. He was Mentioned in Despatches in April, 1917. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory medal. He was demobilized in London in July 1919, and donated Winnie permanently to the London Zoo. After the war Capt. Colebourn joined the Canadian Militia in Winnipeg, with the rank of Major, serving from January 15, 1921 to April 15, 1929. He received the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officer’s Decoration.

Harry Colebourn died September 24, 1947. 

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