Name
Thomas William Gibbons
12 Nov 1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/08/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/21210
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY
II. P. 7A.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Frogmore, St Stephens Parish Memorial Obelisk, Park Street, Herts, Not on the St Albans memorials
Pre War
Thomas William was born on 12 Nov 1897 in Colney Street, St Albans (baptised 2 Jan 1898, Frogmore) to Edgar Gibbons, a miller’s carman, and Rebecca (nee King). On the 1901 Census Thomas, his parents, and younger brother Edgar (born 1889) were living at Colney Street, Frogmore Parish. A brother Harry was born in 1899 but died in 1901. On the 1911 Census Thomas, his parents, Edgar and brother Horace (born 1903) were living at Athol Cottages, Colney Street. There would be two other brothers Frederick C (born 1913) and George A (born 1915).
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for Thomas. He joined the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) as Private G/21210 in 1917 and went to France in Jul that year, joining 8th Battalion at Ypres. He was died of wounds on 5 Aug 1917 following an action 2 days previously. This action may have during the Battle of Pilkem ( 31 Jul – 2 Aug 1917), the opening phase of 3rd Ypres (Passchendaele).
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £2 17s 7d was paid to his Mother Rebecca.Thomas is recorded as T M Gibbons on his National Roll of the Great War. Brother Edgar served with Royal Navy, joining in Jun 1917 and was posted to HM Ships Swiftsure and Garth in the North Sea and Russian Waters being demobilised in Feb 1919.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Gareth Hughes
