William GIBB, M.M.,

Sergeant 859857

43rd Battalion

Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.)

Cap Badge of the Canadian Expeditionary Force

Family gravestone in Larkhall Cemetery.

WILLIAM GIBB, M.M., Sgt 859857, 43rd Bn Canadian Infantry, is NOT named on the Larkhall War Memorial.
He is named on a family gravestone in Larkhall Cemetery.

WILLIAM GIBB, M.M. was born at Mavisbank, Newton, Cambuslang, on 4th June, 1887.

His parents were Archibald Gibb, an Underground Fireman, and Janet Clark, who were married at Larkhall on 5th August, 1881.
His paternal grandparents were Thomas Gibb, a Coal Pit Oversman, and Isabella Kirkwood.
His maternal grandparents were William Clark, a Weaving Agent, and Agnes Davidson.

The 1891 BLACKBURN, West Lothian, Census was taken on 5th April, 1891.
The family are listed at Blackburn, as follows:
Archibald Gibb, age 31, Head, Shale Miner, b Motherwell.
Jane Gibb, age 30, Wife, b Larkhall.
Thomas Gibb, age 7, Son, Scholar, b Cambuslang
WILLIAM GIBB, age 3, Son, b Cambuslang.
Agnes Gibb, age 1, Daughter, b West Calder.

The 1901 BLACKBURN, West Lothian, Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at Blackburn, as follows:
Archibald Gibb, age 41, Head, Coal Miner, b Motherwell.
Jessie Gibb, age 40, Wife, b Larkhall.
Thomas Gibb, age 17, Son, Joiner, b Cambuslang
WILLIAM GIBB, age 13, Son, Scholar, b Cambuslang.
Agnes Gibb, age 11, Daughter, Scholar, b West Calder.
Archibald Gibb, age 7, Son, Scholar, b Livingstone.

The 1911 UDDINGSTON Census was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
The family are listed at 8 Crofthead Street, Uddingston, as follows:
Archibald Gibb, age 51, Head, Coal Miner, b Motherwell.
Jessie Gibb, age 50, Wife, b Larkhall.
Thomas Gibb, age 27, Son, Coal Miner, b Cambuslang
Agnes Gibb, age 21, Daughter, b West Calder.
Archibald Gibb, age 16, Son, Turner and Fitter, b Livingstone.

I cannot find WILLIAM in the 1911 Census. He would have been 23 years of age.

At some time between 1901 and 1915, WILLIAM emigrated to Canada.

His Military Service Record has survived and it shows:
WILLIAM GIBB, M.M. joined the 179th Bn Cameron Highlanders of Canada as Pte 859857 on 27th March, 1916, at Winnipeg, Canada.
His Next-of-Kin is shown as his wife Mrs Isabel McFarlane or Gibb, 532 Spence Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I cannot find any immigration/emigration, marriage or census records, of their life in Canada.
He was 27 years and 9 months old at the time of his enlistment.
He embarked with his Battalion from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 4th October, 1916, via S.S. "Saxonia".
He disembarked at Liverpool on 13th October, 1916.
On 20th October, 1916, his Battalion embarked for France.
On 21st October, 1916, he was transferred to the 17th Bn.
On 13th November, 1916, he was transferred to the 43rd Bn.
On 11th May, 1917, he was appointed Lance Corporal.
On 8th August, 1917, he was appointed A/Corporal (Paid).
On 28th October, 1917, he was admitted to No 5 General Hospital, Rouen, France, with a Gun Shot Wound to his face and forehead.
On 31st October, 1917, he was admitted to No 2 Convalescent Depot, Rouen, France.
On 4th November, 1917, he was admitted to No 11 Convalescent Depot, Buchy, France.
On 17th November, 1917, he was discharged to Base Details, Etaples, France.
He was given Leave of Absence to the UK from 29th December, 1917, to 12th January, 1918.
He rejoined his Unit on 14th January, 1918.
On 31st January, 1918, he was confirmed in the rank of Corporal.
On 4th June, 1918, he was appointed A/L/Sergeant.
On 8th June, 1918, he was appointed L/Sergeant.
On 23rd June, 1918, he was promoted Sergeant.

WILLIAM was awarded the Military Medal on 11th September, 1918.
This was announced in The London Gazette, Number 31173, dated 7th February, 1919, and The Edinburgh Gazette, Number 13402, dated 11th February, 1919.

WILLIAM GIBB, M.M. was Killed-In-Action on 28th September, 1918, age 31.
The Canadian War Graves Register shows that "He was killed by a machine gun bullet whilst taking part in an attack South of Raillencourt".

His Military Service Records show that his addresses in Canada were:
1) 747 Home Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
2) Suite 1, Avoca Apartments, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
3) 373 Maryland Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
4) 532 Spence Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
5) 386 Banning Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

His widow's last address was Bellfield Terrace, COALBURN, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) entry for WILLIAM GIBB, M.M. shows that he is commemorated at CREST CEMETERY, FONTAINE-NOTRE DAME, Nord, France.
There are 84 identified casualties buried at CREST CEMETERY.

The Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) at Edinburgh Castle shows that WILLIAM CLARK GIBB, M.M. is commemorated there.

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for WILLIAM GIBB, M.M. shows that he was awarded The 1914-15 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.

An entry in The Hamilton Advertiser dated 2nd November, 1918, reads:
"GIBB - Killed in action on the 28th September, Sergeant William Clark Gibb, M.M., Cameron Highlanders of Canada, age 31 years, husband of Isobel Robertson, Winnipeg, and second son of Mr and Mrs Archibald Gibb, Bellfield Terrace, Coalburn".

His father Archibald Gibb died on 25th March, 1924, age 64, at 15 Montgomery Street, Larkhall.
His mother Jessie Clark or Gibb died on 6th February, 1941, age 79, at 55 Church Street, Larkhall.

Lest We Forget!

Attestation Records of WILLIAM GIBB.

Canadian War Graves Register.

Canadian Military Honours and Awards.

Canadian Miltary Record showing last known address of his widow.

Pages from The London Gazette, Number 31173, dated 7th February, 1919.

Pages from The Edinburgh Gazette, Number 13402, dated 11th February, 1919.

This is an EXAMPLE of a Military Medal

CWGC Commemorative Certificate