Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Private Malcolm Gibson Number 5287

Born 18 July 1887 in Camlachie Glasgow, Lanarkshire,

on th 1891 census lived at 52 Barrowfield Street, Glasgow


1911 address In the Parish of Barrowfield, 29 Walkinshaw Street, Dalmonock, Glasgow

Last address before the war was 24 Kirkpatrick street, Camlachie, Glasgow.

Malcolm's Occupation

Stair lamp lighter in 1911 Scotland census, a Labourer in the lighting Department on marriage certificate.

Engineer's - Machinist in 1914 stated on his son's David's birth certificate


Died 18 July 1916

Regiment was the Highland Light infantry 18th Battalion

Medals include Victory and British. Roll D104 B4 249

Remembered with Honour at Thiepval Memorial
Buried at Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France.
Plot: Pier and Face 15 C.

Parents

David Gibson born about 1865 & Jessie Allan born about 1865

Siblings where :-

Janet Gibson 1886
William Gibson 1891
David Gibson 1893
Georgina Gibson 1898 – 1964
Christian Gibson 1901

Malcolm’s wife is Jessie Fyfe 1890 – 1940
Married on:- 29th October 1909, at Greenhead Court Hall Glasgow.

Children include:-

Marion Gibson Born 1910
Baby unknown “nickname D” Gibson 1911
Mary Gibson Born 1912
Jane H Gibson Born 1913
David Gibson Born 1914

We grew up hearing stories of my great grandfather mentioned above and told his name was on a memorial in St Cyprians, we asked about what happened to the memorial stones in October 2013 and my cousin James Powell asked a minister who used to be vicar there he remembered it and tracked it down to the cathedral vaults my cousin did a photo of the relevant stone.

One slight fly in the ointment was the family as far as I know lived in Glasgow till 1918 when they moved to Liverpool within walking distance.

St Cyprians was the family church my grandfather David Gibson born 1914 Died 1974 went on to marry there. He served in WW2 D Day landings.

I wonder did family nominate their loved ones or did they just adopt the name as Malcolm Gibson I am not sure but this is how my family believed it was his memorial.

Still trying to find out more but thats about all I know on my great grandfather.

Thanks

Marie

This is my 1st post hope I did it right sorry if I did'nt.

I tried to add photo of stone




Still trying to find out more but thats about all I know on my great grandfather.

Thanks

Marie

This is my 1st post hope I did it right sorry if I did'nt.


I have just edited this to include Malcolm's actual date of birth found on his birth certificate today. I was sad to see he died on 18 July 1916 it was his birthday.

Just recieved my grandfathers birth certificate this had the last known addressbefore the war and his occupation as a Engineer's-machinist. A good job compared to what he did before.
I am wondering if it was part of ship building given his address in Glasgow.

Excellent thank you Marie, I have deleted the original post as we had no information. Thank you for clarifying, lovely to be able to commemorate one more of our heroes.

Hi Eveyone

Thanks for all those who have helped me and read the details on my great grandfather Malcolm Gibson.

I still continue to search for more information on my great grandfather Malcolm Gibson.

Since I posted I discovered that Private Malcolm Gibson 5287 also appears in the Glasgow city roll of honours. I understand this is being updated and it will eventually be on display in Edinburgh.

His Will was not available on scottlands people so again I was disapointed.

I thought I found somewhere that I could get a copy of the ledger containing the soldiers effects. I spent a few minutes asking for the record and how to pay.
Then to my disappointment I got an email saying we are sorry the website is suspended due to refurbishment I was gutted lol.


This morning I received his death certificate. I was curious what a death certificate was like for someone dying in the war. I know you may have all seen one before I thought I would share it in case someone like me has not.



It was useful because I wondered if he was killed In Action or made it to a hospital and I got the answer. Pleased is not quite the right reaction to have on a sad occasion I guess there is a contentment in knowing how he died.

The sad part is how they lost his body he is remembered on a panel. At least he is remembered and it has been a privilege filling in some of the gaps as nothing was known on most sites apart from his date of death.

Thank you Marie, I have become quite emotional reading all this, and I appreciate very much you sharing the certificate with us, I had never seen a death certificate for somebody Killed in Action either.

This board has become a lovely memorial for our heroes.

Lest we forget

Hi Mary and everyone

Thank you it is really good hearing about and sharing our soldiers lives and deaths.

I have enjoyed reading the many stories and even though some are not family they can feel that close.

I thank them and recommend any one interested look up the Long Long Trail website it is full of information on the military roles in WW1 ideal for a novice like me.

http://www.1914-1918.net/

I have just received my great grandfather’s death certificate yesterday. See above It states Killed in Action 18 July 1916

After getting the death certificate for Malcolm Gibson I thought I would find out what led to his death so here is the update with thanks to the Long Long Trail for filling the gaps.

I was looking into the way Private Malcolm Gibson 5287 came to die on the 18th July 1916 it seems he was taking part in the 2nd phase of action in France and Flanders during the battles of the Somme.

Malcolm must have been in the Battle of Bazentin (or the Bazentin Ridge), 14th - 17th July 1916 although his death certificates stated 18th July 1916 his 29th birthday. I am wondering if he died close to midnight or discovered next day and therefore this is the date death was pronounced.

Private Malcolm Gibson 5287 was serving in the 18th [Service] Battalion of the Highland light Infantry [4th Glasgow] a Bantam regiment.

Malcolm’s unit was formed in Glasgow on 26 February 1915 by the Lord Provost and City as a Bantam Battalion. They moved to Girvan and then in May 1915 to Gailes.

On June 1915 the battalion moved to Masham they went under the command of 106th Brigade in 35th Division. This was adopted by War Office in July 1915.

The battalion moved to Salisbury Plain in August 1915. On the 1 February 1916 they landed in France

His body must have been lost because he is remembered on a panal not a grave,

After Malcolm had died his friends and colleagues fought on in early 1917 his unit ceased to be a Bantam Battalion and on the 23 September 1917 his battalion was absorbed into HQ and two Squadrons of dismounted Glasgow Yeomanry and renamed as 18th Glasgow Yeomanry Battalion

I feel great pride that my great grandfather gave his life for his county. I am sad there is no photograph of him or his battalion but I will remember him,

Thank you to all our hero’s peace be with you. “Lest we forget”.

Thank you Marie

Once again thank you for such a complete follow up.