Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Garfield Gibb
The Gibb, Cadzow Cummings and Napper families lived in the mid-north area of South Australia, predominantly around Jamestown, Petersburg and Mannanarie. Their sons and daughters inter-married and remained close and supportive of each other from first settlement of the area to today.
Adelaide Frances Cadzow and Robert Gibb married at the Bible Christian Manse in Broken Hill in June of 1898 when Adelaide was 20 years of age. Their first child was born in December 1898 and christened James Garfield (usually called Garfield). By April of 1900, Adelaide had a second son, Albert but delivery complications resulted in her death just eight days later on the 2nd May 1900.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931), Saturday 12 May 1900, page 6 GIBB. On the 2nd May, at Broken Hill Adelaide Frances, dearly beloved wife of Robert Gibb, and fourth daughter of J. M. and S. T. Cadzow, Walloway, aged 22 years 2 months. Beloved by all.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931), Monday 2 May 1904, page 4 GIBB. In sad and loving memory of our dear daughter and sister, who died at Broken Hill, May 2, 1900. Glorie's now in rest with angels blest, A wreath upon her, brow; The Saviour who she loved knew best, And they dwell together now. Inserted by her loving parents, sisters, Brothers.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931), Tuesday 2 May 1905, page 4 GIBB. In sad, but loving memory of Adelaide Frances Gibb, daughter of J. and S. Cadzow, who died at Broken Hill on May 2nd, 1900. You left two darling boys behind Who would have been your joy, But greater rejoicing will be ours When we meet in that heavenly home. Dearest Adelaide, we have laid thee, In the silent grave embraced, But thy memory will be cherished Until we see thy heavenly face. Inserted by loving parents, sisters, brothers.
Garfield’s maternal aunt and uncle, Selina (Cadzow) and William Cummings, a year after Adelaide’s death, welcomed their own first child in May 1901; May Winniefred who was later to be remembered with Garfield.
James Garfield Gibbs enlisted at Broken Hill to serve in WWI on the 10th May 1915. As did may young men at the time, perhaps seeking adventure or a regular income, the 16-year-old increased his age, claiming to be 18 years and 2 months. Being a country lad of reasonable height (175 cm and 71 Kg) he presented as an ideal, healthy candidate. Garfield described himself as a farm labourer and with his father, Robert Gibb, working in the Southern Flinders Ranges at Johnsburg, a dry pastural area outside Goyder’s line, he obviously escaped gaining the mandatory written permission for enlisting well under-age.
Selina Cummings, his mother’s sister, was nominated as his ‘next of kin’ and for her to receive his princely sum of 5/- (50cents) per day wages.
Garfield (James) arrived at Gallipoli on the 16th of October 1915 but soon contracted influenza and bronchitis. He later went via Marseilles to be confronted by the horrific conditions of trench warfare, in the battle at Pozières. While there, in a challenging twist of fate for the extended family, his young cousin, May then aged 15, died of complications with appendicitis in March 1916. It devastated his aunt Selina and uncle William Cummings. She was buried at Jamestown.
Just five months later, James was wounded in action in France on the 12th August with a 4-inch (10.5cm) wound to the middle of his thigh. He was taken to a clearing station before being transferred to London for hospitalisation. After being granted furlough, he re-joined his company and returned to France on the 17th February 1917. By May 11th, soon after his 18th birthday, he was killed in action as his battalion retreated to the Hindenburg Line.
To contact his father, Robert, the local SA paper, The Advertiser, carried a request for James’ next of kin. His brother, Albert F. Gibb who was staying with the Napper family at Jamestown, responded with Robert’s address at the still remote Johnsburg. Garfield’s minimal effects of a note book and bible were forwarded to his family as eventually were his medals; the 1914/15 Star, the British War medal, and the Victory medal, a Memorial Scroll, and a Memorial Plaque.
Many South Australian newspapers carried tributes to the young man. These included:
Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA: 1867 - 1922), Thursday 31 May 1917, page 1 GIBB. Killed in action, France, James Garfield, dearly-beloved nephew Mr. arid Mrs. W. Cummings, Belalie North. "His duty nobly done; the promised crown is won." He is united with mother and grandmother and May.
Journal (Adelaide, SA: 1912 - 1923), Saturday 2 June 1917, page 12 FOR KING AND COUNTRY GIBB. On the 4th May. killed in action in France, Pte. James Garfield Gibb. Sweet is the memory left behind, One so noble, true, and kind; His fight is fought, he stood the test. We remember Garry as one of the best. Inserted by his loving cousins, Nellie and Violet Cadzow.
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA: 1895 - 1954), Saturday 9 June 1917, page 27 GIBB. —On the 4th May, killed in action in France, Private James Garfield Gibb, the dearly beloved eldest son of Robert and the late Adelaide Frances Gibb, aged 18 years and 6 months. He fell, a hero in the deadly strife, For King and country he laid down his life.
As James was buried in France his Aunt Selina Cummings knew it would be impossible to visit that grave but wanted to have something local to remember her nephew. She organised to have a Memorial stone at the base of her daughter’s grave in Jamestown.