4188580 JR Gibbins 1RWF - WW2

[ap1]

Ally,

The book is on ABE for £30!!


http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Bo...2BRed%2BDragon

[allyf]

Thanks!

I already bought a copy slightly more (but only a bit) from another book seller on Abe books on Friday - should be here this coming week. Think mine is in better condition to from the description.
:-)

[ap1]

Excellent. I won't spoil your enjoyment of searching for more detail of his service. When you get the book. Look at the 1st Bn notes, where he served and what he was involved in will become more apparent. What I would say is that your Grandfather would have fought at the Battles of Donbaik and also Kohima. Bearing in mind he survived Dunkirk, and these later actions, make his service even more poignant. At Kohima there is a memorial inscribed

" When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"

You may be interested in the obituary of the late Reuben Jones which i have attached to this post. Your Grandfathers service and Reubens are very similar, both joined in Oct 1928, Reuben was also in the band, and served in Germany. Before he went off to the 2nd Bn, whilst your Gfather served with the 1st. They would have certainly known each other.

Later they would have served together from 1942 onwards, with the 1st Bn, by now Reuben had left the band and was a Platoon Sgt with B Company, his Platoon Commander was Lt JDN Graves(son of Robert Graves the famous WW1 Poet).

Reubens wife Barbara, is still alive, and is very knowledgeable about Reuben's service.

You may find this article about the Battle of DonBaik of interest http://www.rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin...e&articleid=16

[allyf]

Thanks for that, the obit for Reuben Jones was very interesting, as you say he and my Grandad (not my Dad) would inevitably have known each other.

I am still amazed how much he just never mentioned to us. I spoke with my Mother yesterday (his only surviving daughter) and she said he never spoke about his service at all, apart from one or two exciting/amusing stories which I guess he told because they didnt remind him or let on how awful it all must have been.

:-)

[ap1]

Below is an extract of your Grandfather service record Ally. The highlighted area shows he was granted 10 days leave for the period 8 May -17 May 1940. At this stage he was in France. Whilst he was away from his unit, the German assault began, so he may have been in the UK at that point, but would have certainly been recalled immediately back to France.(Assuming he actually managed to cross the channel before the attack commenced).

Note within the same text box, it then shows him Missing(as opposed to AWOL). Rejoining his unit on the 26th May 1940. On suggestion is that he has either failed to leave France or returned to France, and has spent a week or so trying to link back up with 1RWF. Bearing in mind the Germans were in the process of destroying the BEF, and the complete confusion associated with that, your Grandfather would have been one of many 1000's of missing soldiers.

I have also attached his posting record below for the Far East. It shows him with 1 RWF being promoted, eventually reaching the rank of Cpl whilst in the Far East. It also states he was admitted to hospital whilst in Burma. Some of the other guys may be able to decipher the detail in the left column. It would be interesting to work out what BBRC was?

[allyf]

Al

Thanks so much for the info.

We did know he was in hospital - it was one of the stories he told us though wether the cause is true or not I dont know. As fair as I recall he was in hospital for either a bad back or deli-beli type illness (he mentioned both at various times). Whilst he was in hospital he said he cross stitch embroidered some pinnies and sent them home for my Mum, her sister and my Grandmother - my Mum remembers these pinnies aparently they had them for some time after the war. He also mentioned having to knit his own socks!

:-)

[ap1]

8yrs later……..Today I received this lovely image of JR Gibbins with his wife and child. We now know he was a drummer with 1RWF 28-35. Then rejoined 1RWF in 39, finally leaving in 1945. I'm guessing this pictture is WW2 vintage. What I especially like is that his wife is wearing an RWF Sweetheart brooch.

Merry Xmas

Al

[welchboy]

What a lovely family photograph, you can see the pride for each other coming through.

[allyeff]

and 4 years in I log back in and see it :D
would it be possible for you to email a copy to me I don’t have this photo in my collection.
How did you get it? How did you kniw it was him, is there anything written on the back? As you say it’s a lovely photo of them. I think the kid is my Aunt.

many thanks
ally

Username was allyf - now allyeff

8yrs later……..Today I received this lovely image of JR Gibbins with his wife and child. We now know he was a drummer with 1RWF 28-35. Then rejoined 1RWF in 39, finally leaving in 1945. I'm guessing this pictture is WW2 vintage. What I especially like is that his wife is wearing an RWF Sweetheart brooch.

Merry Xmas

Al