James's Story.
James Gibbons was born in 1895 in Mottram St Andrews, Cheshire. He was one of 7 children born to parents William and Rachel Gibbons.
His father was a farm labourer and his mother worked for the local farmers as a domestic servant. The 1911 census shows the family living in Shocklach near Malpas, but by the outbreak of war they were living in a rented cottage in Erdswick Lane, Minshull Vernon, near Crewe.
James enlisted in Chester in October 1914 in to the 8th (Service) Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, part of 40th Brigade of the 13th (Western) Division.
The Battalion moved to Chiseldon and his training began, in February 1915 they moved to Pirbright, Aldershot and in June 1915 embarked for Egypt and from there on 7th July, they shipped to Gallipoli.
By 4th August 1915 James found himself bivouac below Walker’s Ridge, the following day they moved up onto Russell’s Top in reserve. An entry in the Battalion's War Diary shows that the 8th Cheshires were in support trenches at Russell's Top and were being moved up to support the Australian Light Horse Brigade to assist in their attack at the Nek.”
In his “History of the Cheshire Regiment in the Great War” Arthur Crookenden recounts the events of 6th – 10th August when the 8th Battalion was engaged at Sari Bair on Gallipoli:
“During the Battle of Sari Bair the 8th Battalion was attached to the Light Horse brigades of the ANZACs. They were employed in trench duties during these days and lost a number of men: 9 officers and 66 men wounded, 2 officers and 77 men missing”
On 13th August they moved to the Apex near Chailak Dere and Rhododendron Spur and by 15 August they were in positions at ‘Chailak Ridge’ where, over the next few days, they dug trenches and constructed other defences.
James’ death certificate states he died of wounds on 20th August 1915, although a brief death notice in the Northwich Guardian stated that he was wounded on 14th August and died on board a hospital ship on 20th.
The UK Army Register of Soldiers Effects record that he left a total of £3.19s.1p naming his mother as sole beneficiary.
James’ younger brother Harold, who was too young to serve, went on to marry Hilda Crawford who also lost a brother (George Crawford) in the Great War. Both men have no known grave, but both are commemorated on the Leighton cum Minshull Vernon War memorial.
Sothern edge of Russells Top.