Category: Military
Regiment or Ship: Army Reserve
Occupation: Railway Booking Office clerk
Date of Birth: 23.04.1892
Place of Birth: Clapham, London
Date of Death: 15.01.1947
Place of Death: Hove, Sussex
Address: 56 Windsor Road, Bexhill
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â George Gibbard, b. 1852 in Sanden, Oxon, and Margaret Alexandra Gibbard (nee Scott), b. 1864 in Longtown, Cumberland.
Siblings:
Archibald S. Gibbard, b. 1891 in Clapham, London.
Margaret I. Gibbard, b. 1900 in Brighton.
In 1901 George and Margaret’s family were living at 64 Richmond Street, Brighton, and George was an assurance agent. At the time of the 1911 census Alec was staying with his uncle, Francescs S. Frai at 33 Market Street, Brighton.
Spouse: In 1919 Alec married Irene Nellie Baker (1892 – 1968). Irene was born in Hackney and died in Worthing.
Although Alec seems to have lived mainly in the Brighton area of Sussex in the newspaper article mentioned below his address was given as 56 Windsor-road so it is likely that he was lodging there whilst being stationed at Bexhill Station.
When Alec died his probate records – dated 17.04.1947 – show that he left £2448.1s.7d. to his widow, Irene Nellie Gibbard. Their address at that time was 405 Portland-road, West Hove.
First World War Experience
We know nothing of Alec’s war experiences as no records are forthcoming. However, from the local Bexhill Observer dated 18.12.1915, we do know that he had joined the Army Reserve by that time.
Therefore, it is quite possible that Alec served on U.K. soil which would explain the absence of any medals being awarded. The only other possibility is that, as he was working on the railways (as a booking clerk), it was somehow a protected occupation – but that is rather unlikely.