LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI
Lance Corporal Leonard Charles Gibbs
85th Bn Canadian Infantry
Town Memorial P3.R4.C1
cap
badge 85th Battalion
Canadian Expeditionary Force
Taken, Not Given, Liam Sumption, L&DLHS
L/CplLeonard C Gibbs
85th Canadian Regt
Bapaume [sic]
Oct 27 1918
The only information regarding this Canadian soldier is contained in the Parish magazine, issue of December 1918. (1)
It gives his full name so Leonard Charles and his rank as Corporal, and states that he 'died of wounds received in action on 27 October 1918'
The reference for his unit's War Diary in the Public Record Office is W095–3909.
Notes on sources
1. Parish magazines St Mary and St Nicholas, Leatherhead, issue of December 1918.
2. Volume WO95 entitled “Finding Aids” - Public Record Office, Richmond, Kew.
Further research
| Lance
Corporal GIBBS, LEONARD CHARLES Service Number 151699 Died 27/10/1918 Aged 23 85th Bn. Canadian Infantry Son of Mr. E. Gibbs, of Leatherhead, Surrey, England. INSCRIPTION UNTIL THE DAYBREAK Buried at ABBEVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION Location: Somme, France Cemetery/memorial reference: IV. J. 22. |
 headstone image courtesy of Laurie Lawson on Ancestry |
He arrived in Canada at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 1 March 1914.
When he Attested at Brandon (?Manitoba) on 13 September 1915 in the 79th Overseas Battalion he was aged 20 years and 3 months. He was 5ft 6in in height and had dark green eyes and dark brown hair. His Trade was recorded as Farming.
In France he was serving with the 85th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Nova Scotia Highlanders), 4th Canadian Division.
According to the Surrey in the Great War website Leonard was on leave in the UK a few weeks before he was wounded in action and died of his wounds and gangrene.
From the Canadian War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty) documentation:
27/10/18: 151699 Lance Corporal GIBBS
Leonard Charles: 85 Bn: Wesleyan
"Died of Wounds"
On October 22nd 1918 whilst with his Battalion East of Amiens, waiting in a field preparatory to entering the line at dusk, an enemy shell exploded near by seriously wounding him in the right leg and thigh. His wounds were immediately dressed by a stretcher bearer and he was hurried to a dressing station, and from there removed to No.1 South African General Hospital Abbeville, where he succumbed to his wounds five days later.
On October 22nd 1918 whilst with his Battalion East of Amiens, waiting in a field preparatory to entering the line at dusk, an enemy shell exploded near by seriously wounding him in the right leg and thigh. His wounds were immediately dressed by a stretcher bearer and he was hurried to a dressing station, and from there removed to No.1 South African General Hospital Abbeville, where he succumbed to his wounds five days later.
His Battalion's War Diary does not mention that particular shelling incident. 'East of Amiens' would more accurately be WSW of Valenciennes (Wavrechain).
War
Diary 85th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Nova Scotia
Highlanders), 4th Canadian Division: October 1918 (item 415)
21-10-18
ROUELX. Foggy. Morning spent in overhauling rifles and Lewis Guns. Orders received that Battalion would move at 15.00 hours to WAVRECHAIN and advance party sent forward. Order cancelled. Orders again received to stand by ready to move late in evening, but later definite instructions received that Battalion would not move until 09.00 hours tomorrow. Advice received from Brigade that Battalion would relieve 46th Battalion in the line tomorrow night. Draft of 20 over ranks received from 4th Divisional Wing, CCRC.
ROUELX. Foggy. Morning spent in overhauling rifles and Lewis Guns. Orders received that Battalion would move at 15.00 hours to WAVRECHAIN and advance party sent forward. Order cancelled. Orders again received to stand by ready to move late in evening, but later definite instructions received that Battalion would not move until 09.00 hours tomorrow. Advice received from Brigade that Battalion would relieve 46th Battalion in the line tomorrow night. Draft of 20 over ranks received from 4th Divisional Wing, CCRC.
22-10-18
Wet. Battalion moved at 08.00 hours to City BESSEMER (DENAIN). The Commanding Officer and Company Commanders proceeded forward. Battalion moved off again at 13.00 hours to ROUVIGNIES. "B" Echelon Transport and Details dropped off at Eastern outskirts WAVRECHAIN. Battalion had supper and moved out at dusk to the Line, Bn. H.Q. remaining at J.3.c.05.65 (ROUVIGNIES). [see Apdx VIII HR7]
Relief complete at 21.40 hours
Wet. Battalion moved at 08.00 hours to City BESSEMER (DENAIN). The Commanding Officer and Company Commanders proceeded forward. Battalion moved off again at 13.00 hours to ROUVIGNIES. "B" Echelon Transport and Details dropped off at Eastern outskirts WAVRECHAIN. Battalion had supper and moved out at dusk to the Line, Bn. H.Q. remaining at J.3.c.05.65 (ROUVIGNIES). [see Apdx VIII HR7]
Relief complete at 21.40 hours
23-10-18
Comparatively quiet early in the morning. Enemy seems quite on the alert and is giving quite a lot of trouble with his machine guns the junction of the road at C.8.c. Orders given to the Battalion to clear up the area on the frontage as far East as the Canal. This was carried out at 20.00 hours, all objectives being gained.
Comparatively quiet early in the morning. Enemy seems quite on the alert and is giving quite a lot of trouble with his machine guns the junction of the road at C.8.c. Orders given to the Battalion to clear up the area on the frontage as far East as the Canal. This was carried out at 20.00 hours, all objectives being gained.
THE CEMETERY
For much of the First World War, Abbeville was headquarters of the Commonwealth lines of communication and No.3 BRCS, No.5 and No.2 Stationary Hospitals were stationed there variously from October 1914 to January 1920. The communal cemetery was used for burials from November 1914 to September 1916, the earliest being made among the French military graves. The extension was begun in September 1916.
Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 28 December
1918 ROLL OF HONOUR.
THE YEAR’S RECORD OF THE BRAVE FALLEN.
NOVEMBER
GIBBS, CORPL. LEONARD CHARLES, Canadian Forces, son of Mr. Gibbs, Downs-lane, Leatherhead.
THE YEAR’S RECORD OF THE BRAVE FALLEN.
NOVEMBER
GIBBS, CORPL. LEONARD CHARLES, Canadian Forces, son of Mr. Gibbs, Downs-lane, Leatherhead.
As noted above, the Canadians had recorded his religion as Wesleyan. He is named on the WW1 plaque in Leatherhead Methodist Church.
Leatherhead Parish Magazine
December 1918
FOR KING AND COUNTRY.
The following have given their lives for the Cause :—
...
Cpl. [sic] Leonard Charles Gibbs, 85th Bn. Canadian Contingent, died of wounds received in action, Oct. 27, 1918.
The following have given their lives for the Cause :—
...
Cpl. [sic] Leonard Charles Gibbs, 85th Bn. Canadian Contingent, died of wounds received in action, Oct. 27, 1918.
In addition to being named on memorials in Leatherhead, he is commemorated on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.
His lifeLeonard was born on 24 June 1895 in Leatherhead.His father was Edward Gibbs born in Cheam, Surrey, a son of Abraham Gibbs (1827-1863) and Mary Ann Newport (1829-1858). He was a Gardener who won prizes at the Leatherhead Horticultural Society Annual Shows. Edward Gibbs was thrice married: Emily Amelia Gibbs who died in 1890 Annie Georgina Gibbs née Hook born 1973, died 1900 Matilda Ellen Gibbs née Landsell Leonard's mother was Annie Georgina Gibbs née Hook born in Leatherhead, Surrey in 1873 and baptised at Leatherhead Parish Church on 28 September 1873. She was a daughter of John Hook b 1835 from Great Bookham, Surrey, a Jobbing Gardener, and Louisa Butt b 1835 from Dorset. Annie died in 1900 and was buried in the churchyard of Leatherhead Parish Church on 5 June 1900. |
 image courtesy of Laurie Lawson on Ancestry |
Edward and Annie were married on 12 September 1891 in the Independent Chapel (Congregational Church), in North Street, Leatherhead, Surrey.
Leonard's siblings were: (half-sister) Agnes Annie b 1881, (half-sister) Annie Rosetta b 1885, Albert Edward b 1892, Arthur George b 1897, (half-sister) Winifred Kathleen b 1909. Another half sister, Emily Amelia, was born in 1882 and died in 1892. In the 1911 Census the 15 year-old Leonard was living with his family in Downs Lane, Leatherhead. He was working as a Shop Assistant (Grocery).
As noted above he emigrated to Canada, landing at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 1 March 1914.
After WW1
Leonard's father, Edward, died on 26 October 1920, Kingston On Thames, Surrey. His mother had died in 1900.Leonard Gibbs is remembered on these memorials
Leatherhead Town Memorial
Leatherhead RBL Roll of Honour, Leatherhead Parish Church
Ladies War Shrine, Leatherhead Parish Church
Church Lads Brigade Memorial Tryptich, All Saints Leatherhead
Surrey in the Great War
Leatherhead Methodist Church
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Canadian First World War Book of Remembrance p414
the website editor would like to add further information on this casualty and any recollections within his family
last updated 22 Sep 20