Rushden Soldier Brothers
Narrow Escape of Pte. W. Gibbs - Pte. A. Gibbs Suffered From Frostbite

Mr. and Mrs. James Gibbs, of 66, Cromwell-road, Rushden, have received the following letter from their son, Pte. W. Gibbs, of the 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment, now serving at the front, and written under date Dec. 15th:

“I had a very narrow shave the other day. A German fired at me and hit my rifle, smashing it and cutting my sling just in front of my hand, but all I got was my face full of dirt if he had been straight in front of me instead of being just on my right when he fired, he would have been bound to hit me. He deserved to hit me, for he was all the time sending bullets into my loophole.

Continuing, Pte. Gibbs asks for a wooden pipe, a shut knife, a belt and gloves, and Mrs. Gibbs informs us that these things have been forwarded to him, together with other warm articles of clothing. He wishes all a happy Christmas and mentions that he is having a rest, which he thinks he deserves, as “it is hard work pulling about in the mud in the trenches after so much wet.”

Another son of Mr. and Mrs. James Gibbs, viz., 8708 Pte. A. Gibbs, Northamptonshire Regt., has also been serving at the front, and on Tuesday midday a letter was received from the Infantry Record Office, Warley, saying that he had been admitted into hospital suffering from frostbite on Nov. 21st.

Mrs. Gibbs had previously received a postcard dated Dec. 17th from this son on which he said he was all right, and that a letter would follow. No letter has yet been received and Mrs. Gibbs would be grateful for any information concerning her son should this meet the eye of any of his comrades who can inform her where he is.

Rushden Man’s Frozen Feet

Private W. Gibbs, of the 2nd Northants Regiment, writing to his mother at Rushden, says he is quite well, but his brother Arthur, of the same regiment, has been in the hospital five weeks with frozen feet. The latter has, however, completely recovered, and has been out of hospital a month. They were still getting it very wet, and it was a fine job fetching water rations, straw, and wood for the troops through mud and water up to their knees. He had a decent Christmas, considering.

Mrs Gibbs, of Cromwell-road, Rushden, has two sons fighting, side by side, in the Northants Regiment, Corpl A Gibbs and Pte W Gibbs. She says she sent both a parcel about five weeks ago and one parcel has just been returned smashed. with the contents inextricably mixed and spoiled. Some of the articles are missing and a cocoa tin has been emptied and the lid replaced. One son received his parcel quite safely.

Local War Items - Rushden Soldier's Wants

Private W Gibbs, of the 2nd Northants, writing to his mother in Cromwell-road, Rushden, states he had the parcel and enjoyed its contents. He would like a small pair of scissors and a small looking glass.

Soldier Brothers - One Killed in Action - His Brother Wounded on the Same Day

The casualty list resulting from the battle of Neuve Chapelle was expected to be large, but Rushden seems to have been very hard hit, and one cannot tell when the last name will come in. One family, Mr and Mrs Gibbs, of Cromwell-road, Rushden, have received news that both their sons were struck on the same day, viz., March 11, one being killed and the other wounded. In a letter from Sergt. E Walker, of Rushden, now at the front, the sad news was conveyed to the parents. He writes:-

"I am very sorry to have to inform you that your son Gibbs of B Company of this Battalion, was killed in action on the morning of March 11th. As a Rushden man I thought it my duty to let you known as soon as possible, as it may be a month or more before you hear from the War Office. He was a well-liked fellow and will be much missed by his comrades. I have a brother who was wounded in the same engagement. He is in a London hospital now, and will probably get a furlough, so you can get fuller information. Please accept my deepest sympathy and believe me yours sincerely, E Walker, Sergt."

Corpl A Gibbs, the dead soldier's brother writes from St Steven's Hospital, Dublin:- "I am in the above hospital wounded in the left arm. My health is good. I have not seen my brother since I was wounded on March 11th."

Pte Gibbs who would have celebrated his 29th birthday on Tuesday last had he lived, worked at the Coxton Shoe Co. at Rushden, and used to play for Rushden Blue Cross Football Club.

Rushden Brothers - One Killed and the other Wounded

Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs, of Cromwell-road, Rushden, have suffered a great loss this week, for they have had two sons laid low in battle, the news coming simultaneously on Tuesday. One son has been killed, and the other wounded on the same day, the 11th of March. Sergt. E. Walker writes concerning the death of Pte. Gibbs of the Northants.: “I am very sorry to have to inform you that your son Gibbs, of “B” Co. of this Battalion was killed in action on the morning of the11th March. As a Rushden man I thought it my duty to let you know as soon as possible, as it may be a month or more before you hear from the War Office. He was a well-liked fellow and will be much missed by his comrades. I have a brother who was wounded in the same engagement. He is in a London hospital now, and will probably get a furlough, so you can get fuller information. Please accept my deepest sympathy and believe me, yours sincerely, E. Walker, Sergt.”