Joseph GIBSON (1)

12 January 1917

KELBROOK – A SOLDIERS WEDDING

The marriage of Sergeant Joseph Gibson, eldest grandson of the late Mr. Joseph Gibson, of Highfield Crescent, Morecambe, to Miss Maggie Rawsthorne, second daughter of the late Mr. John Rawsthorne, of Colne Road, Kelbrook, took place at St. Peter’s Church, Bedford, on Monday by special licence. The bride was attended by her sister, Miss Annie Bracewell, and Mr. Charles Wren acted as ‘best man.’ On leaving the church the bride and bridegroom had a hearty reception. The Rev. M. Sugget officiated.

20 April 1917

FORMER BARNOLDSWICK POLICEMAN WOUNDED

Sergt. Joseph Gibson (Duke of Wellington’s) formerly member of the Barnoldswick Constabulary, is reported wounded in France, where he is now in hospital.

18 May 1917

BARNOLDSWICK'S TOLL

Sergt. Joseph Gibson, Duke of Wellington’s (who previous to the war was a Police Constable at Barnoldswick), has been shot through the left arm in France. His wife resides at Kelbrook.

18 January 1918

GIBSON – Died in a Casualty Clearing Station, France, from wounds received in action on November 22nd, 1917, Sergeant Joseph Gibson, West Yorks. Regiment, formerly a policeman at Barnoldswick, aged 31 years.

18 January 1918

GIBSON – In loving memory of my dear husband, Sergeant Joseph Gibson, West Yorks. Regiment, who died of wounds in France November 28th, 1917.

Somewhere in France, in a soldier’s grave,
Lies my dear loved one amongst the brave;
Oh. God, how mysterious and strange are Thy ways
To take my dear loved one in the best of his days.

From his sorrowing Wife, Colne Road, Kelbrook.

GIBSON – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Sergeant J. Gibson, West Yorks. Regiment, who died of wounds in France.

Somewhere abroad in a soldier’s grave,
Lies our dear son and brother amongst the brave;
Oh, God, how strange are Thy ways,
To take him away in the best of his days.

From his sorrowing Mother. Sisters and Brother, Lancaster.

GIBSON -In loving memory of our dear son-in-law and brother-in-law, Sergeant J. Gibson, who died of wounds in France November 28th, 1917.

When last we saw his smiling face,
He seemed so strong and brave;
We little thought how soon he’d be
Laid in a soldier’s grave.

From his Mother-in-law and Sisters; his six brothers-in-law in France; and his brother-in-law at Barrow; Mrs. Rawsthorn, Colne Road, Kelbrook.

GIBSON – In loving memory of our dear nephew and cousin, Sergeant J. Gibson, who died of wounds in France.

We loved him, yes, no tongue can tell
How deep, how dearly, and how well;
We miss him and mourn him in silence unseen,
And live in the memory of days that have been.

From his sorrowing Aunties Susan, Ruth, Clara, Louie, Beatie and Emily, and Cousin Minnie, Bradford.

18 January 1918

BARNOLDSWICK EX-POLICEMAN’S DEATH FROM WOUNDS

We regret to record the death of Sergeant Joseph Gibson, West Yorks. Regiment, which ensued at a Casualty Clearing Station in France from wounds received in action on the 22nd November. Sergeant Gibson was 31 years of age, and was well known in Barnoldswick, where he served four years in the local Police Force, and lodged with Mr. and Mrs. J. King. 21, Albert Road. After leaving the police he was for a short time employed as cinema operator at the Palace Theatre, and was also a member of the Barnoldswick Orchestral Society. He enlisted in the early days of the war, and being’ promoted to the rank of sergeant, spent a good many months as drill instructor at Clipstone and Bedford Training Camps. He was married to a Kelbrook young lady (Miss Rawsthorn) in January last, and went out to France early in February, since when he as been twice wounded. He had only returned to the fighting line about a month before being mortally wounded. Mrs. Gibson, who lives in Come Road, Kelbrook, has five brothers serving – four in France and one in Italy. Sergt. Gibson was a native of Bradford, being the grandson of the late Mr. Joseph Gibson, a well-known butcher. His mother resides at Lancaster. Mrs. Gibson has been the recipient of several letters of condolence.

29 November 1918

GIBSON – In loving memory of my dear husband, Sergeant Joseph Gibson, West Yorks. Regiment, who died November 28th, 1917, and a was buried in Rocguyney Road British Cemetery, France.

Could I have raised his dying head,
Or heard his last farewell,
The grief would not have been so hard
For those who loved him well.

From his sorrowing wife, Mrs. Maggie Gibson, 14 Colne Road, Kelbrook.