Hill 10 Cemetery
Hill 10 Cemetery
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Gibbon Jnr, one of 9 children of whom only 7 survived, was the eldest of 2 brothers and had 3 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father Thomas born 1951 at Houghton-le-Spring where he was married, November 3rd 1873, to Jane Willis Hedley of Hetton-le-Hole born 1856, was employed as a colliery stone mason by trade. In 1881 they were living at Caroline Street, Hetton with their daughters Margaret Jane (6) and Mary Bell (2). Five years later Maria Hedley Gibbon was born 1886 and after 4 years Thomas in 1891. By 1901 they had moved to 7, Francis Street, Thomas Snr was still the only breadwinner, their 3 elder daughters had left home, Thomas Jnr was 9 and they now had a further 3 children John (8), Elizabeth (6) and Robina (4). In 1911 they were still at Francis Street, both Thomas Jnr and John had joined their father at the colliery employed as a stone putter and coal putter respectively.
Britain declared a state of war existed with Germany, August 28th 1914, Thomas Gibbon enlisted at Houghton-le-Spring, assigned as Private 18119 Yorkshire Regiment he was posted to the 6th Battalion, 32nd Brigade, 11th Northern Division. The battalion underwent training at Belton Park near Grantham before moving in April 1915 to Whitley Camp in Surrey. The Division embarked at Liverpool, July 3rd 1915, bound for Mundros, Gallipoli. The main body of the regiment arrived and participated at the Sulva Bay landing August 6th and 7th, however Private 18119 Thomas Gibbon did not disembark until September 29th 1915, he was killed in action on the Gallipoli peninsular, November 3rd 1915 and initially buried on the battlefield.
After the Armistice, Hill 10 Cemetery, Turkey, was made by bringing in casualties from isolated sites in the area and from the 88th and 89th Dressing Stations, Kangaroo Beach, ‘B’ Beach, 26th C.C.S. and Park Lane. Private Thomas Gibbon was laid to rest, grave II. G. 19, officiating chaplain F. H. Hall. At the time of his demise in 1915 he was 24 years of age and single.
As his sole legitimate beneficiary his father Thomas received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to his home address of 7, Francis Street, Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham.
Details as regards the demise of Thomas Gibbon and Jane Willis Gibbon nee Hedley, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Thomas Gibbon is remembered at Eppleton on E65.01
