Jack Hayden Gibson
From Our Contribution
 Western Mail | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 29 Oct 1896 |
| Place of Birth | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Death | 19 Jul 1967 aged 70 |
| Place of Death | South Perth |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years, 11 months |
| Description | 5' 11" (1.80m) tall; weight 144 lbs (65.3 kg); fair complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair |
| Occupation | farm hand |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Quairading, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr John Arthur Gibson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 4276 |
| Date of Enlistment | 20 Sep 1915 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement transferred to 4th MG Battalion, 12th Machine Gun Company. |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Jan 1916 - 26 Feb 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A54 Runic |
| Date of Return | 24 Aug 1918 - 24 Oct 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | SS City of Karachi |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 30 Aug 1916 Mouquet Farm Wounded in Action 28 Mar 1918 Hebuterne Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Kelmscott |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
A previous resident of Kelmscott with original NOK still living there at time of enlistment.
War Service
Following five weeks of basic training at Blackboy Hill camp, Jack was allocated to the 13th reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion. There are no notations in his records to cover the three months he spent in Egypt other than to say that he was initially sent to Zeitoun.
He embarked with the 12th Brigade aboard HMT Kingstonian for France on 2 Jun 1916, arriving in Marseilles on 11 Jun 1916.
During the night of 30 Aug 1916 the 16th Battalion was being relieved in the front lines at Mouquet Farm by the 47th Battalion. The 16th had attacked the farm on the night of the 29th, and over the 2 days it was engaged, lost 30 KIA, 150 WIA, and 51 missing. Given that Jack's injuries were a severe GSW to his back, his injury perhaps occurred at this time. Treated at the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station and then the 28th Ambulance Train before being evacuated to England from 8th Stationary Hospital, Rouen on HMHS St Andrew.
Admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital at Stourbridge in Devon on 5 September and discharged from hospital on 18 Nov 1916. On recovering it was felt he was not fit for normal infantry work and so he was sent for Officer Training. Being successful, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 7 Nov 1917, and posted to the 4th Machine Gun Battalion, proceeding overseas to join them from Folkestone on 26 Jan 1918.
Prior to embarking it appeared that he had married in England, as his NOK changed on 1 Dec 1917 to wife, Mrs Elizabeth Mary Gibson at Grove Villa, Connaught road, Brookwood, Surrey.
Jack was promoted Lt on 7 Feb 1918, before being wounded 28 Mar 1918 with a GSW to right knee. He was treated by 13th Australian Field Ambulance and 3rd Casualty Clearing Station before being admitted to 20th General Hospital at Dannes-Camiers just north of Étaples. From where he was evacuated on the HS Jan Breydel to England and the 3rd London General Hospital.
On recovery he was placed on a list of those returning early to Australia. His trip home was via Melbourne, with his Appointment terminated at 5th Military District on 7 Jun 1919.
Post War
1925 Electoral Roll lists Jack as a building contractor at Muradup; 1931-43 with Elizabeth Mary at 99 River street, Como - a salesman; 1949 street now named Douglas avenue, and daughter Margaret Winifred living with them. Address remains unchanged until his death. Elizabeth lived there until her death in 1993 aged 101.
Jack also served in the Citizen Military Forces during WW2 as a Captain with Service Number W242890 at the Marrinup POW Camp from 9 Oct 1939 until 16 Nov 1945.
Jack and Elizabeth returned to Fremantle from London on 21 Nov 1955 aboard the SS Himalaya, arriving home on 14 Dec 1955.
References