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May 26, 1894
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Born in Toronto, Ontario to James and Sarah
Eleanor (nee Bouskill) Gibb
His father, James Gibb died March 27, 1898 of
Typhoid Fever. His mother Sarah was remarried
to Charles Watson in Toronto on January 2, 1899
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Aug 4, 1915
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Attested into the 83rd Battalion in
Toronto
Ø Number 171088
Ø Next of kin given as Sarah Watson, 55 Norman Ave., Toronto, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation given as Teamster
Ø No previous military experience given
Ø Religion given as Presbyterian
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Sep 24, 1915
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Transferred to the Service Company
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Sep 25, 1915
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Embarked the SS Corsican in Montreal, Quebec as part
of the 1st Draft of the 83rd Battalion
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Oct 6, 1915
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Disembarked in Plymouth, England and proceeded
to West Sandling. On arrival in West
Sandling, the draft was absorbed into the 39th Reserve Battalion to continue
training
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Jan 7, 1916
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Forfeits 4 days pay for being AWL (Absent
Without Leave)
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Feb 3, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Feb 5, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the
Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion
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Feb 15, 1916
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Left the CBD to join his battalion
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Feb 17, 1916
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Joined the 21st Battalion in the
front line N & O trenches near Ridgewood, Belgium
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Feb 24, 1916
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Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field
Ambulance) with a Gonorrheal Chancre. He was
transferred the same day to the No. 2 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for treatment
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Feb 25, 1916
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Transferred via the No. 2 AT (Ambulance Train)
and admitted to the No. 1 Convalescent Depot in Boulogne, then transferred the same day to
the No. 9 Stationary Hospital in Havre for treatment
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Mar 12, 1916
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Discharged from hospital to the No. 1 Camp
Details in Havre and his pay was withheld in the amount of 50¢ per day
for the 15 days he was in hospital
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Apr 6, 1916
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Readmitted to the No. 9 Stationary Hospital with
a diagnosis that reads NYD (Not Yet Determined) but this was later changed to read VDG
(Venereal Disease Gonorrhea)
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Apr 23, 1916
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Discharged to the No. 12 Rest Camp in Harfleur
and forfeited 50¢ per day for the 17 days he was in hospital
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Apr 24, 1916
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Transferred to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in
the Rouelles Camp, Havre and posted to “A” Company for those recovering from
wounds and illness
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Apr 29, 1916
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Left the CBD and rejoined the 21st
Battalion in the B Camp near La Clytte, Belgium
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Jul 3, 1916
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While on a work party he received minor shrapnel
wounds to his back that were treated by the battalion’s Medical Officer and he
remained with the battalion
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Sep 15, 1916
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As part of the battle of the Somme, the 21st
Battalion was given the task of taking a German stronghold in a sugar refinery near
Courcelette. This was the first time the
Canadians had used tanks as part of their attack. Private
Gibb was first reported to be missing, but later was determined to have been killed in
action. His body was never recovered from the
battlefield and as such, is honoured on the walls of the Canadian National Vimy Ridge
Memorial for those killed in France with no known grave.
Following the war the British War Medal, Victory
Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother,
Mrs. S. Watson, 55 Norman Ave., Toronto, Ontario
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