Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Henry Gibbins, a groom, born 1867 in Stonton Wyville, Leicestershire, the son of John and Elizabeth Gibbons and his wife Annie Gibbins (nee Hall, married in the 4th quarter of 1886 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district), born 1867 in Nanpantan, Leicestershire. John Henry was born in the 4th quarter of 1894 in Nanpantan, his siblings were, Philip William, a stable boy, born 1888 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, Nellie Elizabeth, born 1890 in Braybrook, Northamptonshire, Bernard Cecil, born 6th January 1892, Lucy Louisa, born 1898 and Francis Edward, born 1901, the latter three siblings were all born in Nanpantan, in March 1901 the family home was at Forest Road, Nanpantan. In April 1911 John was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Nanpantan, together with his father, a farm foreman, his mother and siblings, Bernard, a builder’s carter, Nellie, a laundry worker, Lucy, a general servant, Francis, a schoolboy, Cyril Thomas, born 1902 and Reginald Bertie, born 11th September 1907, the latter two siblings were both born in Nanpantan.
John attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve on the 31st January 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Nanpantan, Loughborough, Leicestershire, his age as 19 years and 161 days and his trade or calling as farm labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father William Gibbins and his mother Annie Gibbins, his brothers Philip William, Bernard Cecil, Francis Edward, Thomas Cyril and Reginald Bertie all of Bawdon Cottage, Nanpantan, Loughborough, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7 inches in height, weighed 151 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35 and 37 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had blue eyes. His physical development was described as good and vision as 6/6. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 31st January 1914 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 9829 on the 9/2/14. Posted on the 9/2/14. Awarded the 3rd Class Army Certificate of Education on the 7/4/14. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 21/6/14. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 11/9/14. Embarked from Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 7/12/14. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 8/12/14. Admitted to the 34th Field Ambulance suffering from boils on the 6/4/15. Discharged from Hospital in Boulogne to duty at Le Havre on the 9/4/15. Rejoined the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 9/4/15. Admitted to 7th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from German Measles on the 17/7/15. Rejoined the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 2/8/15. Embarked from Marseilles to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary force on the 10/11/15. Disembarked in Alexandria on the 17/11/15. Embarked at Port Suez on the 23/11/15. Disembarked at Basra on the 8/12/15. Killed in action, in the field on the 6-7/1/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 31/1/14 – 7/12/14. 308 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 8/12/14 – 13/11/15, 344 days. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 14/11/15 – 7/1/16, 55 days. Total service 1 year 342 days. John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by John’s father William on the 2nd May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Thomas Mayo, Justice of the Peace, Nanpantan, Loughborough on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, William Gibbins of Bawdon Lodge, Charley, Loughborough. Mother of soldier, Annie Gibbins of Bawdon Lodge, Charley, Loughborough. Full blood brothers of soldier, Phlip W. Gibbins, age 31 of -?- Cottages, Charley, Loughborough. Bernard C. Gibbins, age 27 of Bawdon Lodge, Charley, Loughborough. Francis E. Gibbins, age 19 of Bawdon Lodge, Charley, Loughborough. Cecil T. Gibbins, age 17 of Bawdon Lodge, Charley, Loughborough. Reginald B. Gibbins, age 11 of Bawdon Lodge, Charley, Loughborough. Full blood sister of soldier, Nellie E. Gibbins, age 29 of Bawdon Lodge, Charley, Loughborough. Nephews and Nieces of soldier, Bernard Gibbins, age 8 of -?- Cottages, Charley, Loughborough. John William Gibbins, age 3 of -?- Cottages, Charley, Loughborough. John Joseph Gibbins, age 2 of Bawdon Lodge, Charley, Loughborough. John’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 6 Jan-16 – Right Bank Column Operation Orders for 6th issued. Extracts from Right Bank Column Operation Orders and Battalion Orders. First day of battle of SHAIKH SA’AD. March was to have been resumed at 8.00am with intention of bivouacking that night at bend of river immediately up-stream from SHAIKH SA’AD but was much delayed by heavy mist. At about 10.00am march was resumed, the Battalion forming part of the Main Body, 53rd SIKHS (F.F.) leading. On nearing HIBSH, at about 12.00 noon, the enemy were reported in an entrenched position, about 2 miles South East of SHAIKH SA’AD, extending from river bank for some 1500 yards. The Battalion now deployed into line of Companies in fours, at 50 paces interval, and 200 yards in rear of 56th (F.F.) RIFLES. Battalion continued advance in this formation, and was eventually ordered to prolong this line to the left of 53rd SIKHS (F.F.) in echelon at 200 yards distance. At about 2.00pm orders were issued to attack this position and advance to the bend in the river at SHAIKH SA’AD. The attack commenced with units of the Brigade in following formation:- 56th RIFLES (F.F.) on the right, 53rd SIKHS (F.F.) in echelon 200 yards distance to the left, 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT in echelon 200 yards distance to left of 53rd SIKHS (F.F.), the 51st SIKHS (F.F.) being in reserve. The Battalion advanced in the following formation (distance from the enemy’s position now about 1500x)
Firing line: “B” Company (2 platoons) 200 yards width – “A” Company (2 platoons) 200 yards width
200 yards gap
Support line “B” Company (2 platoons) 200 yards width – “A” Company (2 platoons) 200 yards width
400 yards gap
Battalion Reserve line “D” Company 200 yards width – “C” Company 200 yards width
200 yards gap
Battalion Reserve (Major Henderson) “D” Company 200 yards width – “C” Company 200 yards width
The attack progressed and was met by very heavy rifle and machine gun fire. At 3.06pm message was forwarded to Brigade stating enemy’s cavalry working round left flank of the Battalion. At 3.18pm report forwarded to Brigade stating enemy’s firing line extended a long way to left of Battalion, that enemy had reinforced their firing line and that the Battalion had only one double Company (“D” Company) in reserve (“C” Company having reinforced the firing line). At 4.00pm message received from Brigade in reply to our L I 9 (Appendix XIII) stating cavalry and Brigade Machine Gun Company assisting on left flank. The advance continued and at 4.30pm Officer Commanding “B” Company was ordered to advance in echelon to the rest of the line, keeping his left slightly thrown back. At 4.35pm Major HENDERSON, Commanding Battalion Reserve, was instructed to bring the rest of the reserve (“D” Company) gradually closer. After suffering considerable losses the firing line reached a line about 500 yards from enemy’s trenches. Here it became evident that the enemy’s line was thrown forward and that the left of the Battalion was becoming enveloped. There was considerable movement of the enemy round the left flank of the Battalion, and it was from there subjected to enfilade fire. It was now obvious that any further advance would, without reinforcements being sent up to take on the enemy’s right, be extremely inadvisable. At 5.00pm a message explaining the situation was despatched to 28th Brigade. The whole line of the Brigade was therefore ordered to entrench itself and establish a strong position during the night, from which the attack could resume the next day. A message was accordingly sent out to Officers Commanding Companies, the left flank of the Battalion (“D” Company with 2 Machine Guns) being to some considerable extent thrown back. During the days operations the following casualties occurred:- Wounded – Captain McINTYRE, 2nd Lieutenant’s SWINDELLS, REDWOOD, GWYTHER (died of wounds 8/1/16), GODFREY, FRASER, PRIVETT (died of wounds 10/1/16). During the night ammunition supplies and rations were brought up, and Companies were reorganised. For dispositions of Companies during night see rough sketch. The Regimental Stretcher bearers, who did excellent work under Lance Corporal QUEENAN throughout operations, brought in the killed and wounded of the Battalion and other regiments. The ammunition supply worked extremely well. Enemy kept up a continuous rifle and machine gun fire during the night.
The War Diary records: 7 Jan-16 - At 11.12am orders were received that the attack would shortly be renewed on both banks. In the meantime enemy’s line was subjected to bombardment from 28th Battery ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. Orders were received to renew the attack at 2.00pm, the Battalion moving forward as soon as 53rd SIKHS were seen to leave their trenches. The 92nd PUNJABIS had now been attached to the Brigade to support the attack on the left of the Battalion. “A” and “B” Companies advanced in short sharp rushes, supported by “C” Company, “D” Company being kept close up in reserve under cover. The advance progressed in spite of very strong opposition and “D” Company was thrown in, the whole Battalion finally carrying out the assault successfully over about 300 yards. Two of the Battalion machine guns pushed along the nullah X Y towards X, greatly assisted the advance in first enfilading Turkish trench P and later distributing their fire along trench Q. The Battalion was splendidly supported throughout by one section of the 28th Battery ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY, the Forward Observation Officer advancing with his telephone immediately in rear of the Battalion. The enemy’s trenches were occupied and quickly put in a state of defence, while, from both ends of these trenches a line of entrenchments was extended for some considerable distance, the left flank being well turned back. About 80 prisoners were taken by the Battalion, and a large quantity of rifles, ammunition, equipment etc. Many dead and wounded Turks were found in the trenches. The Battalion buried 62 enemy dead on its section of trenches. Enemy sniped to some extent during the night from our left flank. The following casualties among officers occurred during this days operations. Officers killed Lieutenant DOWDING and Lieutenant ROYCE. Wounded Captain SUTHERLAND, 2nd Lieutenant BILLINGS, 2nd Lieutenant BELLE and 2nd Lieutenant BUCKINGHAM. Other ranks killed and wounded on operations of the 6th and 7th January totalled 303.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article – Friday April 30th, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT COPT OAK CHURCH

WINDOW DECORATED BY THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH

A large congregation was present at Copt Oak Church on Sunday morning to witness the dedication by the Bishop of Peterborough of a beautiful stained-glass window which has been placed in the church in memory of local men who gave their lives in the great war.

The window has three lights, the centre light being occupied by a warrior kneeling at the foot of Christ, with the inscription, “Faithful unto death, 1914 – 1918.” The following are the fallen who are commemorated:

E. Bowley, J. W. Brooks, J. H. Gibbins, H. Heggs, H. A. V. Hull, H. Hall, R. Irons, T. J. Kelham, A. H. Mason, G. H. Partner, P. B. Pearce, S. W. Richardson, H. Read, P. Tyers, S. A. Whyles and W. Wibberley.

Immediately preceding the service, a muffled peal was rung on the bells. The Rev. H. C. Gannell (vicar) took the first part of the service, which was fully choral, and the Rev. J. Martin, of Charley Hall, read the lessons. The special music rendered by the choir included the Te Deum (Hopkins) and the anthem, “Rejoice in the Lord” (Elvey). Mrs Gannell officiated at the organ, and at the close played the Dead March in “Saul.”

The Bishop, in his address from St. John, xx, 29, emphasised the power of the Resurrection, dealing with the introduction of Christianity into Britain, the progress made in Uganda, India and China. Instead of thinking of God as a kind of arch-magistrate seated on a distant star, we must think of one who is full of sympathy even for those whom many consider as beyond the pale. His Lordship continued, “We remember those gallant men who gave their lives in the war. They have cleared the way for a new Britain, a better Europe and a new world. Our task is to carry on, not to beat the Germans, but to form a truer fellowship, a lasting peace and goodwill. We must never falter until the great League of Nations is rooted and grounded in brotherly love, and a new comradeship is established, not every one grabbing for self, but each man loving his neighbour as himself.”

The congregation included many of the relatives of the deceased men. The collections at the services, including the Choral Communion Service at 8 am, at which the Bishop of Peterborough was the celebrant, were for the Window Fund. The service at 6.30 pm was taken by the Rev. T. W. Walters, Whitwick, Rural Dean.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 22/5/2019