GIBSON, James Bruce (1889-1972)

Modified on Fri, 12 Aug 2016 19:43 by Con — Categorized as: Biography - All, Biography - Students, Geelong College, Biography of War - World War I

GIBSON, James Bruce (1889-1972)

James Bruce Gibson was born on the 10 September 1889, the first of 8 children of Dr George Harry Gibson and Jessie White nee Galloway. He was enrolled in 1905 with an address of Macquarie Street, Hobart.
The following awards were won by J Gibson up to 1908:
1906, 1st, German.
1906, 1st, Gymnastics, 3rd Class.
1907, 1st, Latin, Upper 4th Form.
1907, 1st, French, Upper 4th Form.
1907, Music, Special Prize.
1908, 1st, French, 5th Form B.
1908, Champion Gymnast.
In 1908 and 1909 he was a member of the 1st Rowing VIII and Stroke in 1909.

He enlisted (No 1068) on the 10 April 1915 and subsequently embarked on HMAT A62 Wandilla on 17 June 1915 for Egypt with the 3rd Light Horse (6th Reinforcement Group). He was evacuated to Malta on the hospital ship HS Nevassa on 2 November 1915 before sailing to Egypt in January 1916. He subsequently went on to France, where he transferred to 26 Battalion on 26 December 1917. He served as a Driver.

Like most AIF battalions, the 26th fought to turn back the German spring offensive in April 1918, and in the lull that followed mounted ‘peaceful penetration’ operations to snatch portions of the German front line.

He transferred again to Australian Army Ordnance Corps on 13 March 1918, and returned to Australia on HMT Runic, embarking on 27 April 1919.

He died on 10 December 1971, in Longford Tasmania, aged 83.

His brother, George William Gibson (1891-1942), was also educated at Geelong College.

Sources: Geelong Collegians at the Great War compiled by James Affleck. p.199 (citing Pegasus;Australian War Memorial; National Archives of Australia).