Gibson, William Henry Irvine

Gibson, William

William Henry Irvine Gibson was born in August 1895 at Jamberoo, the son of Verjetta Elizabeth Gibson.

William, a labourer, was a member of the famous Waratah March. At the time of enlistment, he had two years and five months experience with the 37th Illawarra Regiment in Kiama, holding the rank of Company-Sergeant-Major.

William embarked on board HMAT SS Makarini on 1 April 1916, as Acting Corporal. He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 16th Reinforcements. Alongside William were other Kiama soldiers, William Bedford, Cyril Brandon, Richard Cooke, Joseph Cooper, Claude Edwards, John Edwards, Lance Edwards, Ernest Fisher, John Hanrahan, John Henderson, Alfred Hinde, Alfred King, Ernest Lucas, Richard McDonald, William Ranyard, Thomas Simpson, Henry Warner and Henry Warren.

Private Gibson died alongside fellow Kiama soldiers Henry Warren and John Hanrahan at Poziers, just shy of his 21st birthday. Also dying of wounds a few days later were Richard McDonald, Ernest Fisher and Joseph Cooper. All of these men were from the Waratah March. This battle saw six of the 23 Waratahs from Kiama, Gerringong and Jamberoo killed.

Included in the images below are accounts of the death of William Gibson, taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing files.

Private Gibson has a panel reference at Villers-Bretonneux. He also has his name located on panel 29 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial.

 

Service record

Name: GIBSON, William Henry Irving

Service No.: 5103

DOB: 1 August 1895

Birthplace: KIAMA

Rank: Private 

Fate: KIA (Killed in Action) 22-25 July 1916

Unit(s): 1st Battalion

 

 

Private William Gibson

Private William Gibson

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'Kiama Independent', 11 December 1915

'Kiama Independent', 11 December 1915

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The Waratahs outside the Drill Hall Kiama

The Waratahs outside the Drill Hall Kiama

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Waratahs leaving Kiama on the way to Jamberoo, where William Gibson joined the march

Waratahs leaving Kiama on the way to Jamberoo, where William Gibson joined the march

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The flag the Waratahs marched behind

The flag the Waratahs marched behind

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'Kiama Independent', 26 January 1916

'Kiama Independent', 26 January 1916

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'Kiama Independent', 15 March 1916

'Kiama Independent', 15 March 1916

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The Makarini, which departed Sydney 1 April 1916

The Makarini, which departed Sydney 1 April 1916

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'Kiama Independent', 23 August 1916

'Kiama Independent', 23 August 1916

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Church of the Resurrection, Jamberoo

Church of the Resurrection, Jamberoo

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'Kiama Independent', 27 July 1918

'Kiama Independent', 27 July 1918

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Villers Bretenneux Memorial

Villers Bretenneux Memorial

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Account of the death of William Gibson taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing files

Account of the death of William Gibson taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing files

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Account of the death of William Gibson taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing files

Account of the death of William Gibson taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing files

(JPG, 122KB)
Account of the death of William Gibson taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing files

Account of the death of William Gibson taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing files

(JPG, 116KB)
Account of the death of William Gibson taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing files

Account of the death of William Gibson taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing files

(JPG, 293KB)
Account of the death of William Gibson taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing files

Account of the death of William Gibson taken from the Australian Red Cross Society Wounded and Missing files

(JPG, 109KB)

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