A.C.H. Gibbs

Australian

A. C. H Gibbs
Second Lieutenant A.I.F.

 There is no known commemoration for this soldier.  His inclusion in the web site because his parents at the time of the 1st WW were living in the cemetery lodge.  Research into his life is on going.

Gibbs ACH photo

 Sec. Lieut. A.C.H. Gibbs  was a member of the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.)  He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs, of the Cemetery Lodge, London Rd. Reading.

The Standard of 24th November 1917 – carried the notification that he was a Prisoner of War having been previously reported as missing.  He had been a former clerk in the Reading County Court.  Lieutenant  Gibbs had emigrated to Australia, from Reading,  where he held the position of Clerk to Shire Council at Roma, Queensland.   He had enlisted in 1915 and obtained his commission in Australia.

Sidney Henry George

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments, Passchendaele, Ypres

Sidney Henry George
Private 28566
11th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment

 Division 29

George SH and brother photo

Sidney Henry George was the son of William John and Annie George, of 16, Richmond Road, Reading; and husband of Louisa George, of 19, Richmond Road, Reading, Berkshire.  He was killed in action on 24th September 1917.  He is commemorated upon the kerb stones of his parents grave in Reading Cemetery.  Grave number 17590.   The Berkshire Family History Society classification is 29G25. 

Sidney George has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial, Panel 23 to 28 and 163A.

 The battle, of what was subsequently known as the Menin Road Ridge, began on September 20th.  The British threw themselves at the German strong point known as “Tower Hamlets”.  The Australians fought for Glencorse Wood and and Nonne Bosschen,  the South Africans took the Breman Redoubt.  There was fierce fighting all along the front, particularly in front of Langemarck.  During the following days the Australians fought for Polygon Wood which was the key to the ridge and Passchendaele.  It was during this fighting that Sidney George lost his life.  Greater detail of the battle can be found in ‘Passchendaele’ by Martin Matrix Evans.

 Sidney was wounded in the neck by shrapnel on April 28th 1917 but recovered sufficiently to be sent back to the front.  His brother W.J.George was invalided out of the army with trench feet.  (Reading Standard 12th May 1917)

Ronald Charles Hirst Gazzana

Army, Canadian, Registered War Grave, Ypres

Ronald Charles Hirst Gazzana
Private 1124 “C” Company
8th Battalion Canadian infantry. (Manitoba Regiment)

 Division 35

 Gazzana grave Gazzana tree

Ronald Charles Hirst Gazzana has a  CWGC war pattern headstone upon which is carved the emblem of Canada the maple leaf.  Behind the headstone is a graceful Maple tree, a simple but fitting memorial probably planted shortly after his funeral.  The grave number is 16111. His parents names are carved into the stone, he was the son of Charles Joseph and Ada Briffet Gazzana.  Their home was “Ronaldhirst  Farm”. Fairford, Manitoba.

 Private Gazzana died as a result of gas poisoning received on 24th April 1915.  This was during the week that the Germans first used poisoned gas.  The Canadians were at a place called St. Julien in Belgium.

 A report of his military funeral was published in the Reading Standard, 29th May 1915.

Gazzana funeral

“A military funeral is always impressive, but that at St. Giles Church, Reading on Wednesday afternoon particularly so.  Pte. Gazzana, aged 20 of the Canadian Contingent, had come to the aid of the motherland in the time of her stress and trial and had died a hero’s death fighting for the cause of freedom. 

“He was a victim of the foul weapon of gas, with which he was struck down near Ypres at the end of April.  He was conveyed to Reading War Hospital and thence to the Royal Berkshire Hospital.  At first he appeared to be making rapid strides towards recovery, but he had a relapse and on Monday passed to his rest.

 Sixteen wounded Canadians from the Reading War Hospital, and all were sufficiently well to attend,  were present to pay their last tribute of  respect to Pte. Gazzana.  Two of them were in his contingent.  They were conveyed to the Church in Red Cross cars.  Men of the 35th Division Signal Company, Royal Engineers, from Wantage Hall, under Lieut. E. Churchill, provided the escort, bearers and a firing party, and the drum and fife band of the “King Alfred” Training Brigade played the Royal Salute on entering the cemetery gates.

The service was conducted by the vicar, the Rev. F.J.C. Gillmor, and the Rev. H.A. Smith-Masters, and as the coffin, enveloped in a Union Jack and covered with beautiful flowers, was borne away on a cable carriage large crowds gathered in the streets and showed signs of sympathy.  After three volleys had been fired at the graveside, the “Last Post” was sounded and Pte. Gazzana was “left alone in his glory”.

 Among those present were the Mayor Mr Leonard Sutton, Major (Dr) G. Stewart Abram, Sir Percy Sanderson, KCMG (President of Caversham and Reading Veterans Association Mr Cyril Tubbs (transport officer), Mr. J.R. Cook, Lieut. Beaumont etc.

 Pte. Gazzana’s home was at Great Missenden, Bucks, his father holds a commission in the Royal Engineers.”