Frederick George Gibbs
From Our Contribution
 WW 2 photo from his pay book | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 28 May 1898 |
| Place of Birth | Cannington, Western Australia |
| Death | 17 Oct 1967 aged 69 |
| Place of Death | Bullaring, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 years, 6 months |
| Description |
5'10" (1.78m) tall ; 135lbs 61.235 kg ; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Teamster |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Lacey street, East Cannington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Frederick John Gibbs |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 39850 & W242952 |
| Date of Enlistment | 18 Oct 1917 |
| Rank | Gunner |
| Unit/Formation | Field Artillery Brigade, Reinforcement 35 |
| Date of Embarkation | 8 May 1918 ‒ 9 Jun 1918 |
| Ship Embarked On | SS Port Darwin |
| Date of Return | 9 Feb 1919 ‒ 17 Mar 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A11 Ascanius |
| Fate |
Returned to Australia Remained in Australia WW2 |
| Monument | Wattle Grove Progress Association Roll of Honour |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
The eldest of 10 children to Frederick John Gibbs and Susannah Batley of Cannington. Prior to enlistment Frederick served 4 years with the cadets and a year with the militia.
War Service
Although he entered Blackboy Hill camp on 19 Oct 1917, it was not until 8 Mar 1918 that Fred was allocated to Artillery reinforcements. On 8 May 1918 he sailed from Albany aboard the SS Port Darwin for Port Tewfik in Egypt. During the voyage he was in the ship's hospital from 1 - 4 Jun 1918. On arrival in Egypt he was taken on strength of the Australian Camp at Port Suez before being transported to Alexandria on 3 Jul 1918 to board an unrecorded ship for England where he arrived on 16 Jul 1918. On arrival he was sent to the Artillery Training Depot at Heytesbury.
On 4 Oct 1918 Fred proceeded overseas to France from Dover and on arrival was sent to the Australian General Base Depot in Rouelles. On 28 Oct 1918 he was taken on strength by the 1st Field Artillery Brigade, and spent some time with the 2nd Battery before on 7 Nov 1918 being hospitalised with influenza. Seen first by the 3rd Field Ambulance who referred him to the 3rd Australian General Hospital at Abbeville. On 13 Dec 1918 he was evacuated to England aboard the HS Jan Breydel. On arrival he was admitted to Graylingwell War Hospital in Chichester with laryngitis. Released to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital on 20 Dec 1918, he was granted furlough on 30 Dec 1918, and was required to report to the No.1 Command Depot on 13 Jan 1919. Fred was given a very quick turn around and sent back to Australia on 9 Feb 1919 where he was discharged by the 5th Military District on 8 Apr 1919.
Post War
In 1920 Fred married Jessie Irene Paull born 1898. Jessie died on 4 Aug 1932. Their children were Kenneth A (4 May 1924, and Clifford Paul (21 Jan 1925 - 2004).
On 28 Jul 1934 Fred married again, this time to Maude Walton (1910 - 1998). Their children were Maxine Florence (23 Jun 1937 - 2015) and Colin Frederick (2 Nov 1941 - 25 Jul 1965).
Electoral Roll entries: 1922 Brown's Mill Greenbushes, mill hand; 1925 Hoffman's Mill via Yarloop, mill hand; 1936 at 84 Prince street Carlisle, labourer; 1943 at 64 Carrington street, South Perth, carpenter; 1949 at 70 Guildford road, East Perth, lawn mower contractor; 1958 - 1963 Welbungin, farmer.
On 10 Oct 1939 Fred enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces W242952, and served on a full time basis with the 5th, 10th and 19th Garrison Battalions until 30 Nov 1943 as a Captain. He formally retired from the Army on 1 Dec 1947
Notes