GIBBS, Sydney Boyd
| Service Number: | 113 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 February 1916, Leongatha, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 39th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Heyfield, Victoria, Australia, 6 February 1886 |
| Home Town: | Allambee, Baw Baw, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Dairy Farmer |
| Died: | Charlton, Victoria, Australia, 1 November 1952, aged 66 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Charlton Cemetery, Victoria Methodist, Grave 333 |
| Memorials: | Heyfield Honour Roll WW1 |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 113, 39th Infantry Battalion, Leongatha, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 113, 39th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 27 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 113, 39th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ascanius, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Sydney Boyd Gibbs was the son of Harry John Gibbs (a farmer) and Martha Meek who married in Heyfield in 1879. Sydney was their third child born in 1886. Martha died in 1894 leaving 5 children the oldest of whom was 14. Harry remarried in 1900 to Elizabeth Cannell. Sydney grew up in Heyfield and attended school there. Upon finishing school he took up farming. His application for a Soldier Settlement Block after the war stated he had “15 years since leaving school working on the land”, 7 of which were dairy farming at Lot 13B on the Allambee Estate, Allambee Parish. (originally Lot 35).
He enlisted aged 30 on 8th February 1916 at Leongatha and was attached to the 39th Battalion, Headquarters. He was described as 5’7” light brown hair, blue eyes and fair complexion. Following initial training he embarked on 27th May 2016 on HMAT A11 Ascanius, arriving in Devenport England 18th July. He was appointed Driver with the 39th Battalion at Lark Hill. He proceeded overseas to France with his unit 23rd November 2016, and remained there for the duration of the war, save for one period of leave during February 1918 when he returned to England and met his future wife.
28th Oct 1918 he became unwell with influenza and was admitted to the field hospital before being returned to England and admitted to Chatham Hospital due to debility. He embarked for Australia 12th December on Hospital Carrier “Nestor” arriving home 1st February 1919 when he was invalided out (1/3 capacity) due to Post Influenza Debility and awarded a pension
Sydney did not return to the Allambee Estate but took up lodgings in Ballarat Road Footscray. He immediately applied to Department of Repatriation for a free passage to bring his fiancé Elsie Rose Eleanor Hunt out from England. They were married on 25th February 1920. Due to ongoing health issues, it was recommended to Sydney that he move to northern Victoria (warmer climate). In January 1921 he applied for a Soldier Settlement Block at Wycheproof, with a preference for Allotment 2 comprising 325 acres, to farm wheat and sheep. He was granted Allotments 3 and 3A a total of 328 acres with a 38.5 year lease commencing 25th February 1921 and then took up adjoining land, Lot 4 and 4A in 1936.
Sydney and Elsie Rose went on 2 have two children. Sydney died in Charlton 1st November 1952, Elsie Rose in 1968 at Wynnum, Queensland
Courtesy of Avenel Jane
GIBBS, Sydney Boyd - On November 1, at Charlton loving husband of Elsie loving father of John Len and loved father-in law of Margaret and Lorna loved grandfather of Anne, Delwyn, Margaret and Allan aged 66 years.
-Loved by all.