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Edward Gibson - Information

Edward was one of many children born to Norah and Charles Alfred Gibson. He was born in London, and eventually migrated to Australia with his family. The Gibsons moved to the property of Cardonald at 31 Rosalind St in North Sydney. Edward had completed a 4 year apprenticeship, training as a navigator with Bell Bros in Glasgow, and worked as an officer in the Mercantile Marines. He therefore gained employment with the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand. He then came to the Macarthur area, where his younger brother, William Bernard resided, to work with the Greendale Steamship Company. In early 1916, Edward’s three brothers, William, Walter George and Harold, left for war service. Edward then enlisted as well, signing up in Sydney on the 22nd of June 1916. Edward trained at the Bathurst Depot, where he was posted to the 5th Reinforcements, 45th Battalion in Kiama. He was then sent overseas, leaving Sydney on the 24th of August 1916 onboard the HMAT Anchises.

Edward landed in Devonport, England in October and was marched out to the 12th Training Camp in Codford. In mid February 1917, he left Folkestone for the Western Front to reinforce the 13th Battalion. Mustered at the 4th Australian Division Base Depot, he soon joined his new unit in the lines on the 12th of March. The following month, the 13th Battalion then fought the Germans at Bullecourt. On the 11th of April, Edward was hit in the left leg and right thigh. The 13th Field Ambulance carried him to the 45th Casualty Clearing Station, where he later died of his wounds on the 13th of April. He was buried by the staff of the Casualty Station, now the Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery, Arras in France.

The Gibson family unfortunately were hit by another loss, as William had been killed in 1916. The shock was too much, and Edward’s brother, Charles Alfred, decided to receive all military correspondence to spare his parents the pain. Edward lovingly set up a will to take care of his family. He put money aside for his sister Norah, for her wedding or when she turned 21. He also set up a fund for his sister Sybil, for singing lessons. Although this was a poor substitute for losing two brothers to a war, it would always be a reminder of what sweet souls they had.