World War II George Cross Recipient. He was gazetted for the award posthumously on January 21, 1941 for his actions as a sergeant in the 9th Bomb Disposal Company, Royal Engineers, British Army, on September 14, 1940 near Coventry, Warwickshire, England, during World War II. Born in June 1906 at Chopwell, County Durham, England, he was a miner who had previously served in the Durham Light Infantry of the British Territorial Army (or Army Reserve). Following the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, he joined the British Royal Engineers and was trained to diffuse unexploded bombs. When an unexploded Luftwaffe bomb was discovered hissing at a factory on September 14, 1940, he proceeded to diffuse it by himself and rendered it safe. The following month, he was killed at the age of 34 along with his bomb disposal crew while they were unloading a live bomb that exploded at Whitley Common, Coventry, Warwickshire, England. In addition to the George Cross, he also received the Defence Medal and the British War Medal 1939-1945. His George Cross citation reads: "On 14 September 1940 a large unexploded bomb fell in an important factory. Excavation supervised by Sergeant Gibson was begun, during which time another bomb which had dropped nearby exploded. Despite the knowledge that the bomb on which he was engaged was of a similar type the N.C.O persevered and eventually the bomb was uncovered. On uncovering it an unusual hissing noise was heard coming from the bomb, whereupon Sergeant Gibson sent his men away and immediately set to work on the fuse. This he extracted safely and the bomb was eventually removed. His prompt and courageous action saved a very dangerous situation."
World War II George Cross Recipient. He was gazetted for the award posthumously on January 21, 1941 for his actions as a sergeant in the 9th Bomb Disposal Company, Royal Engineers, British Army, on September 14, 1940 near Coventry, Warwickshire, England, during World War II. Born in June 1906 at Chopwell, County Durham, England, he was a miner who had previously served in the Durham Light Infantry of the British Territorial Army (or Army Reserve). Following the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, he joined the British Royal Engineers and was trained to diffuse unexploded bombs. When an unexploded Luftwaffe bomb was discovered hissing at a factory on September 14, 1940, he proceeded to diffuse it by himself and rendered it safe. The following month, he was killed at the age of 34 along with his bomb disposal crew while they were unloading a live bomb that exploded at Whitley Common, Coventry, Warwickshire, England. In addition to the George Cross, he also received the Defence Medal and the British War Medal 1939-1945. His George Cross citation reads: "On 14 September 1940 a large unexploded bomb fell in an important factory. Excavation supervised by Sergeant Gibson was begun, during which time another bomb which had dropped nearby exploded. Despite the knowledge that the bomb on which he was engaged was of a similar type the N.C.O persevered and eventually the bomb was uncovered. On uncovering it an unusual hissing noise was heard coming from the bomb, whereupon Sergeant Gibson sent his men away and immediately set to work on the fuse. This he extracted safely and the bomb was eventually removed. His prompt and courageous action saved a very dangerous situation."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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Royal Engineers
Gravesite Details
4445289
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