Name
William Gibbs
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/05/1915
39
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4477
(Royal) Dragoons
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NEW IRISH FARM CEMETERY
Plot XXXIII, Row A, Grave 15.
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Christ Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Theresa (nee LAKE) MCMILLAN.
William was born 1876 in Southampton.
Theresa married 1887 in the Wandsworth, London, district to Daniel John MCMILLAN. He died 1907 in the Kingston, Surrey, district aged 65; Theresa died 1939 in the Hastings, Sussex, district aged 87.
On the 1881 Census, a William MACY described as the nephew aged 6 of Theresa LAKE lived in Heston, Middx, with her and her brother. On the 1891 Census, a gardener’s assistant aged 16, he lived in Streatham, London, with his mother, step-father and five siblings. On the 1901 Census, a soldier aged 25, he was stationed at Shorncliffe Camp, Cheriton, Kent.
He originally enlisted 2 August 1899 in London, in the Dragoons of the Line: a gardener aged 23; his next-of-kin was his mother Theresa MCMILLAN of Lower Tooting, London. He spent 1904 until 8 November 1907 with the army in India, transferred to the Army Reserve 11 November 1907. He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa medal with three clasps, and the King’s South Africa medal with two clasps.
On the 1911 Census, an loco labourer for the L.N.W.R. aged 35, he lived in Watford, with his widowed mother and four siblings.
Wartime Service
He was recalled from reserve on 22 August 1914.
He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals, his qualifying date being 8 October 1914 and was killed in action.
Additional Information
His half-brother George MACMILLAN died 9 August 1915 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
