He was brother to George Gibson
The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 24/08/1916 carries the following letter:
“Two Fallen Northumbrians.
Sir – On behalf of the veterans and members of this Association, whose president is the Right. Hon. The Lord Mayor of the city, will you kindly allow me to publicly convey through your columns to Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, of 14, Third Street, Wallsend, our deep sense of sorrow and heartfelt regret at the loss which they have recently sustained through their two sons, George and Willie, privates in the 5th Batt. Northumberland Fusiliers (T.F.), having been killed in action ‘somewhere in France’, whilst gallantly serving their King and country. I would like to add, with reference to the public notice of their loss, which appears through the columns of today’s ‘Chronicle’ that their father, Private Wm. Gibson, of the National Reserve (now serving), is a much respected member of the Northumberland Veteran’s Association, Newcastle, and served with the Heavy Camel Corps (5th Dragoon Guards) during the Nile Expedition, 1884-85, being present at Abu Klea, and receiving the Egyptian medal with two clasps, together with the Khedive’s Star, in bronze, for his services, and had the boys been spared they would have undoubtedly gone into the Regular Army, and ‘followed in their father’s footsteps’. Yours, etc., W.G. Finlay, Advisory Secretary, Northumberland Veterans’ Association, Newcastle, 22nd August 1916.”
He is remembered in Wallsend on W7.19
