David Haxton GIBB

GIBB, David Haxton

Service Number: 491
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Trooper
Last Unit: 5th South Australian Imperial Bushmen
Born: Salter Spring, South Australia, August 1871
Home Town: Peterborough (Formerly Petersburg), South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Railway Employee
Died: Killed in Action, Reitz, South Africa, 6 June 1901
Cemetery: Reitz Garden of Remembrance, Reitz, Free State, South Africa
Burial:
Memorials: Adelaide Boer War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, North Adelaide St Peter's Cathedral Boer War Honour Roll
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Biography

Petersburg Times (SA: 1887 - 1919) Friday 3 May 1901

From the Front.

The following is taken from the diary of Trooper D. H. Gibbs (491), with the South Australian Fifth Contingent, on the voyage in the troopship "Ormazan":—

February, 9th, 1901.— Sailed from Port Adelaide, at 4 p.m. and anchored at the Semaphore until 2 p.m. on Sunday, when we drew anchor and started for the Cape with all well on board. 11th—Sea is a little rough, which has made a good many of our men seasick. 12th —Horse kicked Corporal Hodson and broke his leg. 13th— It was found out that there was not enough fresh water on board to last through the voyage, so had to steer for Albany, and arrived there on the 10th at 8 a.m., all well. The permission to go on shore in the afternoon was much appreciated by the troops. Had to stay at Albany until Wednesday before we could get enough fresh water to last the voyage. One of the horses died on the 18th and another on the 19th. One of our men was sent home by order of the Doctor, as he had a small bone out of place   which rendered him unfit for service as he would have to undergo an operation. Lieut. Ayliffe is laid up with rheumatic fever. 20th—Drew anchor and started for the Cape at 8 a.m. with a rough sea, and saw the last of the Australian shore at 6 p.m. 21st to 24th—Made good progress under splendid weather with S.E. winds. A successful concert was held last night by officers and men of the contingent, and divine service was held this morning. 25th — Another horse died this morning. Two of the ship's crew had a quarrel last night and one drew a knife and gave the other a terrible gash on the arm. 26th—The fine weather came to an end this evening, when a change came up bringing a light rain and a heavy sea, which lasted until the 28th, when it abated. Had to shoot one of the horses which was too ill to stand the voyage. Manual and firing exercise is held on board daily. March 1st to 3rd—Beautiful weather prevailed when another sharp rain came on, hut did not last long. Instructions in saddle-packing yesterday afternoon and another concert in the evening, and divine service held this morning. 4th—Weather is warm with N.W. winds and rough sea. Trooper Petrie for refusing duty yesterday was court-martialled this morning. 5th— Very wet last night and this morning and rough sea to-night. Trouper Petrie, who was court-martialled yesterday, while   sleeping on the top deck last night rolled and fell on the deck below, and hurt his back and head and has lost his senses, hut the doctor is of the opinion that he will get right again. From 6th to 8th—Some rough weather, rain and slight thunderstorms. Sighted a ship early this morning, and hailing found her to be the Craigmore, 41 days from Port Pirie, loaded with wheat bound for Ireland, reported all well on board. Corporal Noblett got a nasty kick in the mouth this morning which cut his   lip, and had it stitched up; otherwise   all is well. 9th—The thirty days that we were paid in advance were up to-day and   the occasion was celebrated by a straw horse being made, over which the burial service was held and the military salute fired by twelve of the sergeants who were dressed in all sorts of rig out and had their faces blacked and painted. The effigy was dumped overboard amidst great cheering. 10th—Another concert held last night, and divine service this morning and sacred singing this evening. 11th—More heavy heavy rain this morning and a nice cool breeze blew all day. 12th—Light rain last night and a heavy sea in consequence, the ship rolling very much; a heavy swell has   been on all day. 13th—East wind and smooth sea to-day; the former has veered round towards the west to-night. 14th—More rain this morning and heavy wind from the south. Lieut. Miell while racing on top deck with Lieut. Cudmore fell and cut his knee, and had to have several stitches put in. 13th to 16th—Fine weather and smooth sea. Captain Hipwell read a very valuable paper on "Scouting and outpost duty," and Major Scriven gave some valuable hints on "Discipline," etc., and the army regulations were read by Lieut. O'Sullivan; Dr. Ramsay Smith gave short lecture on "Bleeding, fractured limbs and skull,   bullet wounds, dislocation, sprains, unconsciousness, etc., and how to treat them until the arrival of the Doctor." 16th —Very heavy rain again this morning, which lasted for nearly an hour. The coast of Africa was sighted early this morning, much to the delight of all on board. One of the horses fell down a hold this morning and was killed. Three of the men had a very narrow escape, as they were working down the hold at the time. A manual firing competition was held yesterday, which was a credit to each troop. The first prize was won by C.4., drilled by Sergt. Lee, the second by C.2., drilled by Sergt. Rust, and the third by E. half No. 2, drilled by Sergt. Evans. Passed East London at 8 o'clock tonight. 17th (S.P. Day)—A strong wind blew off the land last night and a fierce storm seemed to be raging on the land. Divine service was conducted again this morning at 11 o'clock. Signalled Port Elizabeth this morning and reported all well, and received orders to proceed to Capetown. 18th—A strong wind blew last night accompanied with heavy rain, and a heavy swell has been on all day. Dr. Ramsay Smith gave another valuable lecture last night on "the first aid to the sick and wounded." Expect to be in Capetown sometime to-morrow. All through our voyage has been a most enjoyable one, bar the few accidents, and the ships company has been much appreciated in providing us with such good food. If we fare as well in Boerland we will all come back as "fat as pigs." The Petersburg   boys send their best respects to all, and after we have caught De Wet and return we hope Petersburg will not forget to give us a wet of a different kind. 19th—Passed the Cape of Good Hope about 10 o'clock this morning and sighted the Table Mountain shortly afterwards; steamed into Table Bay and cast anchor at 4 o'clock   about half a mile from the pier, and the chief Staff-officer came out in a punt and told the captain that we may have to go back to Durban as the plague is still raging here. So ends our voyage in the "S.S. Ormazan" to Capetown, with all well, and ready to have a smack at the Boers, and do our duty as soldiers of the King and uphold the laurels of our predecessors in South Africa. Adieu!

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124969137

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931) Wednesday 26 June 1901

THE LATE TROOPER GIBB.

Oladdie, June 24. 

The late Trooper D. H. Gibb, of the Fifth Contingent, was a son of Mr. James Gibb, and was born in August, 1871, at Salter Springs. He came to Walloway with his parents when quite a child, and for years assisted his parents, who are farmers, till a few years ago, when he was employed on the railway, and at Broken Hill. Last year, while at Broken Hill, he offered his services to the Bushmen's Corps, but was not accepted. When the Fifth Contingent was enrolled, he was one of the first to join. While living in this district he was highly respected by all who knew him. Much sympathy is felt for his father and brothers at their sad loss. He was a young man of excellent physique, and a general favorite with his associates.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4844897

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