Photo: Dorothy Hall
TR/5/18201 Private
H.D. Gibson
Northumberland Fusiliers
11th June 1918
Brenda McMahon has submitted the following:-
Henry was born at North Shields early in 1900 the son of William Henry Gibson and his wife Jane Agnes (nee Bousfield). The couple married at Chester-le-Street on 5 October 1892. They went on to have 4 children ie a daughter Winifred (b 1894) followed by 3 sons, William Henry (b 1897), John Alfred (b 1898) and Henry Donnison (b 1900).
The 1901 census shows the family living at 19 Simpson Street, Chirton. Unfortunately Henry lost his mother Agnes in 1905 at the early age of 38 years. Henry was only 5 years at that time.
By 1911 the family had moved on. William remarried after the loss of his first wife. His second wife was named Esther McMann. They married in 1909. William worked in the mines as a miner/stoneman whilst his 14 year old son, William, worked as a pony driver underground. By this time the family were living in a 4 roomed house at 1 Robson Street, Low Fell.
Some of Henry’s service records are available for viewing but they are very few and difficult to read because of damage.
.Henry attested for service at Newcastle 7 May 1917 then posted to the Northumberland Fusiliers and allocated the number (YS Bn.) TR5/18201. The YS Battalion refers to a Young Soldiers Battalion who did not serve abroad. TR5 is the Training Reserve he served with.
On enlistment Henry was residing at 6 Ravensworth Terrace, Gateshead. His service record shows him to be 19 years 63 days old. He was 5’4” tall with good physical development. He had a slight defect with his right eyelid but nothing of any importance. His occupation was given as miner. He was a member of the Church of England.
From 7 February 1918 until 23 March 1918 he was admitted to hospital having suffered a short attack of broncho pneumonia. He was sent back to his regiment but only a few months later (5 June 1918) he was readmitted with a severe attack from which he didn’t recover. He died at 1.45pm on Tuesday 11 June 1918 at the Red Cross Hospital in Middlesbrough.
His burial took place at Lamesley St Andrew’s churchyard (south part) on 15 June 1918. His father was entitled to his pay of £5.3.7d and later a war gratuity of £4.0.0d.
Henry Gibson does not seem to be remembered on a local War Memorial.
