Name
Charles Gibbins
1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/03/1918
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
376230
Durham Light Infantry
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Panel 68 to 72.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
East Barnet Valley Memorial, New Barnet, St James Church Memorial, New Barnet, St James the Great Church Memorial, Friern Barnet, Margaret Road School Memorial, Chipping Barnet, Not on the Hitchin memorials (*1)
Pre War
Charles was born in1886 in New Barnet, Herts and his parents were Bill and Elizabeth Ann Gibbins and (née)
In 1891 the family were living at Albert Road, East Barnet. Present were both parents: Bill (35) and Elizabeth (30), with Bill working as a carman. Their children were: Phebe (16), Chas (Charles and 4). Also present were two visitors: Chas Gibbins (60) and Phebe Gibbins (58) – probably grandparents, and a boarder Emma Lays (21).
In 1901 the family were still living in East Barnet. Present were both parents: xxx and x, with x and working as a general carman. Both children listed above were present, with Charles, only 14 but working as a sawyer in a saw mill.
Charles married Annie Steeley (b 19 April 1885) late in 1909, in Barnet. She already had one child, Gladys Irene Steeley (b 13 February 1907). They had a child between them in 1910 – Charles Alfred (b 28 May).
In 1911 Charels and Annie were living at 63 Lancaster Road, New Barnet and their first child Charles was under one.
They went on to have two more children Ronald Bill (b 6 January 1914) and Frederick Harry (b 22 October 1916).
Officially Charles was recorded as born New Barnet, Herts., and resident there when he enlisted (probably conscripted) in Watford.
Wartime Service
His Regimental Number was 376230 and he served in the l/6th Battalion. He was killed in action.
We do not know when he went to France but it was after the end of 1915.
The Battalion was an A.T.F. unit and was part of the 151st Brigade of the 50th Division up to the 27th March 1918. The 50th Division was engaged in the Battle of Rosieres as part of XIX Corps in the 5th Army. Fighting was intense and the Division was near Mezieres and the surrounding woods south east of Amiens during the German Spring offensive.
He has no known grave but is remembered on Panels 68 - 72 of the Pozieres Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
*1 After his death his parents address was given as "Trenba", Swanage Rd., Southend-on-Sea and his widow’s as 4, Davis Place, Queen St., Hitchin, Herts. No other connection to Hitchin has been found and it may be that Charles had no direct connection to Hitchin.
After his death £11 8s 10d was authorised to go to his widow, Annie, on 11 July 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £5 10s was authorised to be paid to her, on 3 December 1919.
His pension cards record Annie Gibbons as his widow and his next of kin, living at Albert Road, New Barnet, Herts. She was awarded a pension of 33s 9d a week from 21 October 1918. It also lists their children as Gladys Irene Steeley (b 13 February 1907), the remaining children all had Gibbins as their surname: Charles Alfred (b 28 May 1910), Ronald Bill (b 6 January 1914) and Frederick Harry (b 22 October 1916).
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission shows his name as ‘Gibbins’ and this is probably the correct spelling, although so records show Gibbons.
*1 If known, the ‘Barnet’ memorial is given, however ‘Barnet’ now appears to be the generic name for many historically separate Hertfordshire locations with Barnet in their name. While we try to unravel these – any help gratefully received! – we have to record ‘Barnet’. It may be that a person appears on several historical ‘barnets’. As this work is done, we will add further detail.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
