William Gibbs - St. Marys church, Rhossilli

 Some churches situated around Gower, will just have a memorial plaque that will commemorate just the one person, who was killed during First World War.  This can be found at St. Marys church, Rhossilli, where there a memorial plaque commemorating to the memory of William Gibbs.

William Gibbs
St. Marys church, Rhossilli
credit - Imperial War Museum - War Memorials Register 

William Gibbs

William Gibbs
Martinsart British Cemetery,
France
credit - findagrave

Private William Gibbs, served with the Welsh Regiment, 15^th Battalion.  Killed in Action, 10^th May 1918, aged 30 years.  He is buried at Martinsart British Cemetery, France.  Son of John and Ellen Gibbs, of Mewslade View, Rhossilli.

John Gibbs and Eleanor Taylor were married at St. James church, Swansea, on 15^th December 1883.  John, 26, Farmer, was residing at Westbury Street, Swansea, whilst Eleanor, 25 came from the Parish of Rhossilliy, Gower.

John Gibbs and Eleanor Taylor
Marriage Certificate
St. James church, Swansea
15^th December 1883

By the time of the 1891 Census, John, 33 and Eleanor, 33, are living within the Village of Middleton, Rhossiliy.  John occupation is listed as a Farmer.  Also present are their three children – George, 6; William, 3 and Mary, 1.  Also living at the address is Rowland Taylor, uncle of Eleanor.

1891 Census

A decade later, 1901 Census, the family are still living at Middleton.  Children present on the census night are George B., 16; William, 13; Mary, 11; John, 9; Ann, 8 and Morgan, 5.  Also present is Mary Taylor, 62, Eleanor’s mother.

1901 Census

There doesn’t seem to be a 1911 Census for the area, so sadly that is where the census trail ends. 

May 1914, John dies aged 56 and is buried at St. Marys church, Rhossilli.  Eleanor dies  during 1933, aged 75.

William’s Attestation Papers haven’t survived either.  During the Second World War, where the papers of all those who signed up during the outbreak and course of the First World War, were held in London, took a direct hit from the Luftwaffe bombing, numerous records were destroyed in the fire.

The memorial for William was erected by parishioners of the Parish of Rhossilli and unveiled on Peace Celebration Day, June 1919.