Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Sunday, February 9, 2020


Wilfred John Nibbs

Harold Alfred Eustace

George Frederick Heaton

Charles William Arthur Cox


Claude Lynton Nibbs

 

Frank David James Knowles
Daours Community Cemetery Extension, France


William Frederick David Nibbs

Clarence Vernon Boote


   
John Mongague 'Jack' Eustace - Military Medal and Bar


 
Thomas Milne


 
Charles Frederick Scougall

Kenneth Campbell Taylor-Vernon
Military Medal


Thomas Henry Nibbs

Arthur William Powe

Clement Henry Foley
Moascar Isolation Camp, Egypt



Percy Henry Roden

Lawrence William Ray

Herbert Angus McPherson

Claude Albert McPherson

Thomas Scougall



Francis Lynton Ray

Robert Victor Hedge (NZ)
 




Wilfred John Nibbs wounded at Gallipoli  Died of wounds 8 May 1915. Egypt
Harold Eustace wounded at Gallipoli. Died of wounds 17 September 1915. Egypt
Charles Cox and Claude Nibbs. Killed in Action 12 October 1917. Passendaele.






Front Row 2nd & 3rd from Right: Charles Wm Arthur Cox and Claude Lynton Nibbs
Not known if other family are in this photo.





Tasmanian Soldiers Football Team. Champions of the Battalion, Egypt.
'Nibbs' 5th from left back row.
Photo in Weekly Courier 1915

















Saturday, February 8, 2020

Nibbs Family WW1 Roll of Honour



The Nibbs Family World War 1 Roll of Honour:
During the 2019 celebrations of the Centenary of the Armistice of The Great War  it occurred to me that I had identified a number of people in our family tree who had served in this conflict, and I should perhaps try to compile our own family Roll of Honour.
Military service hadn't been a priority during my research, but sometimes the information came to light during newspaper searches, ancestry and archive searches and from related family trees. It isn’t complete, but today I'm making an effort, a start if you like, to record this part of our shared history.  I'll start with a list of names that I know and how they fit into the family record. Where possible I'll add information about their service.
Some made the supreme sacrifice and never returned to their families at home. Others were wounded, returned to Australia and discharged but never fully recovered.
Others were wounded then returned to their units and saw more action before returning home. We will never know their full stories, but ...  "We will remember them".
 
If anyone can help with more names, stories, photos, corrections, etc. I would be delighted to receive your information. This can be through the comments section of this blog, The Nibbs Facebook page, or my email - deneces@gmail.com
Thanks in advance, Denece
**********
Wilfred John Nibbs
Service No. 1221NAA Service Record B2455. Barcode 7991061
He was born 8 February 1897 in Smithton Tasmania. A labourer, he enlisted 19 September 1914, Pontville Tasmania and embarked Melbourne 22nd December 1914 on board “HMAT Ceramic” with the 15th Infantry Battalion.He was wounded at Gallipoli on the 5th May 1915 with a gunshot wound to the head. He was evacuated to Egypt on the hospital ship “Devanha” and admitted to the Deaconness Hospital Alexandria where he died 8th May 1915.
He was buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, AL Iskandariyah  Egypt. Plot A, Grave 99.
Commemorated on Memorial Plaque, Strahan Visitor Centre, Tas.

18 years old at the time of his death he was the son of John (Jack) and Ellen Nibbs (nee Ollington)


Harold Alfred Eustace
Service No. 1031
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 3544708
Born 21st November 1892 Waratah Tasmania  a miner who embarked Melbourne 22nd December 1914 on board “HMAT Ceramic” with the 15th Infantry Battalion.
He died 17th September 1915 from a gunshot wound to the right thigh received on the 7th August at Lone Pine, on the Gallipoli Peninsula and was transferred next day to Egypt.
He was buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
The North Western Advocate 30th September 1915DIED OF WOUNDS.
Mr. J. Eustace of Rosebery has received word from the Secretary for Defence that his son Private Harold Eustace succumbed to his wounds at the 17th General Hospital, Alexandria. The deceased went with the Second Expeditionary Force, and resided at Burnie a few years ago. He was 23 years of age. His brother, John Eustace, who has been twice wounded, is at present an inmate of the 1st Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis.
Son of John and Mary Eustace (nee Duncan)
Nephew of William Nibbs and Annie Heaton 


George Frederick Heaton
Service No 3976
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 3435815
Born Glen Wills Victoria but living and working in Ulverstone when he enlisted in August 1915, he was posted to the 12th Battalion.  He was wounded in action at Fleurbaix, France in June 1916 then rejoined his unit - December 1916.
He was wounded again and admitted to 49th Casualty Clearing Station, France on 10th April 1917 suffering gunshot wounds to the back and left leg and died the same day.
He was buried the next day in the Achiet-le-Grand Communal CemeteryAchiet-le-Grand, Departement du Pas-de Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais.  [Achiet Le Grand Communal Cemetery Extension 3-3/4 miles NW of Bapaume], France.
Son of William Henry Heaton and Emily Scougall.
Nephew of Annie Heaton and William Nibbs 


Charles William Arthur Cox.
Service No. 153
NAA Service Record B2455. Barcode 3435815
Private (Pte) Charles William Arthur Cox, 40th Battalion, of Wynyard, Tas. A labourer prior to enlisting in March 1916, Pte Cox embarked from Hobart on board HMAT Berrima (A35) on 1 July 1916 with the 15th Battalion. He was promoted to Temporary Sergeant and wounded in action in France in June 1917. On 1 September 1917 was promoted to Sergeant (Sgt). Sgt Cox was killed in action at Passchendaele, Ypres, Belgium on 12 October 1917. He was 33 years of age.
Commemorated on Menin Gate Memorial.
The North Western Advocate 6th November 1917
News was received on Saturday that Sergt. C. W. A. Cox, who is well known in the Calder district, had been killed in action on October 12.  Sgt Cox leaves a widow and seven small children, with whom the greatest sympathy is felt. In consequence of this sad news the social in aid of the Calder Hall has been postponed to a date to be fixed
Son of David Cox and Martha Amelia Eustace
William Nibbs and Annie Heaton family line 


Claud Lynton Nibbs
Service No. 574
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 7363430
Born 24th March 1895 Port Sorell Tasmania  A labourer, he embarked Hobart 1st July 1916 on board “HMAT Berrima” with the 40th Infantry Battalion.
He was killed in action 12th October 1917 at the battle of Passchendaele and is commemorated on the The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
His uncle Charles Wm. Arthur Cox was killed in the same battle.
His brother Pte William Frederick David Nibbs returned to Tasmania 16th July 1917 and died of his wounds 7th November 1921 in Launceston Tasmania.
 Examiner Launceston 10th November 1917 : Mr. Job Nibbs of Northdown has received news of the death of his second eldest son Private Claude Nibbs in France. Deceased was killed on October 12. The Rev. V G. Britton, of Latrobe, conveyed the sad news to his parents. Mrs. Nibbs has sustained a double loss as her youngest brother Sergeant Charles Cox was killed on the same date. Private Nibbs was in his platoon. Much sympathy is felt for the relatives.
Photo Courtesy Jim Rouse
Son of Job Lynton Nibbs and Mary Elizabeth Nibbs (nee Cox)


Frank David James Knowles
Service No. 314
NAA Service Record B2455. Barcode 7363430
Age 23. He enlisted 22 August 1914 at Brighton, Tasmania.
Served Gallipoli and France.
A Corporal with 12th Battalion AIF - He was wounded in action at The Somme and transferred to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station with shell wounds  to the stomach and left arm on 23 August 1918 but later died.
He was buried 24 Aug 1918 at St. Quentin, Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Plot 3, Row E, Grave 64.
Son of Frank John and Maria Ellen Knowles, of Cooroy, Queensland. Native of Beulah, Tasmania
(Tree Links: William Nibbs - Cox - Eustace)

William Frederick David Nibbs
Service No. 245
NAA Service Record B2455. Barcode 27999055
Born 10th September 1892 Sheffield Tasmania. He enlisted 4 March 1916 at Claremont, Tas. A labourer he embarked Hobart 1st July 1916 on board “HMAT Berrima” with the 40th Infantry Battalion.
He was wounded 25th December 1916 at Armentieres with a severe gunshot wound to the arm and evacuated to England. He was invalided back to Tasmania and discharged 13th February 1918. He never recovered from his wounds and died 7th November 1921 at Margaret Street Launceston.  He was buried in the Wesley Vale Cemetery Tasmania.
His brother Claude Lynton Nibbs (No 574) and Uncle Charles Wm Arthur Cox were killed in action 12th October 1917 in Belgium and are commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Son of Job Lynton and Mary Elizabeth Nibbs (nee Cox) .
Husband to Alma Elsie Drewitt
Clarence Vernon Boote
Service No. 3279
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 3098762
Born: Smithton Tasmania
Occupation: Carpenter
Age at Embarkation: 19 (Single)
Rank and Unit: Private. 40th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement
Embarkation Roll No. and details. (AWM) : 23/57/2. Unit embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT A20 Hororata on 14 June 1917
Served in France (Western Front): Gassed 17 May 1918
Returned to Australia: 28 October 1918
Medals – British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Son of Mary Ann (Nibbs) and V. W.  Boote, Smithton.
Married 1: Annie Smith Hinton, 16/4/1929, Hobart, #695.
Married 2 Mabel Lucy Hinton, 1940.

Both Vern & Mabel died in a car accident at Sassafras in 1960 They were returning from a trip to Hobart. Mabel died instantly.

John Montague "Jack" Eustace
Service No 1032
Born: Devonport, TasmaniaOccupation: MinerAddress: C/-o John Eustace Railway Station, Roseberry, Tasmania.Age at Embarkation: 20 (single)Enlistment Date: 25 September 1914 (Nominal Roll 19 September 1914Rank and Unit: Private. 15th Battalion, G CompanyEmbarkation Roll No. and details (AWM): 23/21/1. Unit embarked from Melbourne, Vic. on board Transport A40 Ceramic on 22 December 1914.Service: Served Gallipoli and France. Wounded several times in shoulder, stomach and buttocks. Returned to Australia 24 September 1918.Medals: Military Medal and Bar
His brother Harold died of wounds at Gallipoli and sadly his father passed away before Jack arrived home.
'Jack' died in 1958  at Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Nephew of Annie Heaton and William Nibbs.

Thomas Milne
Service No. 1656a
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 7983057
Thomas was born in Deloraine 19 April 1881
A farmer, he enlisted for service at Claremont, Tas.27 April 1916 and was dispatched to France as a driver with Pack Transport Troop. He was demobilised  in Sept. 1919 and awarded the Victory Medal.
He died 19 March 1945 at Devonport, Tasmania.
Son of William Milne and Janet Scott.
He married Esther Maude Nibbs in November 1919.


Charles Frederick Scougall
Service No. 2890 
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode
Born: Abt. 1873 (Ballarat, Vic.)
Enlisted: 13 August 1915, Claremont, Tas.12th Battalion or Currie, King Island
Served: France
Returned to Australia. Discharged 31/12/1918
Applied Soldier Settlement Land – King Island.File No.: 781/S Tas. Name Index 1489383
Died: 26 July 1952 (Launceston, Tas.)
Husband of Hester Elizabeth Nibbs. Brother of Emily Heaton
Son of James Scougall and Mary Ann Crammond


Kenneth Campbell Taylor-Vernon
Service No. 2911
NAA Series No. P1868, Taylor Vernon KC T8151. Barcode 30163558. Location: Sydney
Born: 31 August 1887/8 Waratah
Enlisted: 23 August,] 1915, Claremont, Tas. 12th Battalion and Reinforcements 51st and 52nd Btn.
Served: France
Wounded: 20 July 1916. Evacuated to England. Returned to France October 1916
Awarded Military Medal 
Returned to Australia. Discharged 15 October 1919
He married Emily Margaret Brand at Lambert, England on 12 April 1919 and she accompanied him to Australia on the Troopship "Konig Frederick August" which arrived in Melbourne on 6 August 1919. They divorced in 1923.
Applied Soldier Settlement Land – King Island. File No. 782/S. Tas Name Index 1489384 but later moved to West. Australia.
He died. 15 July 1974 at Geraldton, W.A.
Son of J. T. Vernon and Ada Scougall
[William and Annie Nibbs - Heaton line]



Thomas Henry Nibbs

Service No. 5156
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 7999054
Born 6 May 1878 (Ulverstone) – Died 8 December 1968 (Smithton)
A sawyer, he enlisted with the AIF at Claremont, Tas. on 11 Jan 1916 and embarked from Melbourne on board the RMS Orontes in 23 March 1916.
His war record which is available online with National Archives Australia notes that the 2nd and 3rd fingers on his right hand were missing. (An earlier sawmill accident).
He was severely wounded in action in France in Sept 1916 (Shoulder, right foot, left knee) and transferred to hospital in Kent, England. He re-joined his Battalion in France 16 Sept. 1917.
He was hospitalised again in Sept 1918 whilst on leave in London. Returning to Australia in March 1919, he was discharged from the Army 12 July 1919.
Son of Caroline Howard and John Patrick Nibbs.
He married Amy Eva Bentley 27 September 1920

Arthur William Powe
Service No.7327
NAA Series record B2455. Barcode 8019731
Arthur enlisted on 5 Dec 1916 at Burnie, Tas.  and joined the May Reinforcement  Depot Tunnelling Co. as a Sapper. At the time he was 40 ½ years old and married with three children. 
His wife was Flora Matilda Caroline Nibbs, daughter of John Patrick Nibbs and Caroline Howard.
Arthur trained at Seymour, Victoria, but was discharged Medically Unfit on 7 May 1917.

Clement Henry Foley
Service No. 504N
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 3912565
Born 17 April 1872 in Tasmania.
At age 23, he enlisted at Port Melbourne, Vic.
A seaman, Clement was part of the 14th Reinforcement Royal Aust. Naval Bridging Train (1914).  In January1916 he transferred to Australian Artillery but retained his original service No. 504N.
In April 1916 he is at Langwarrin, Vic. as an A.B. Driver.
In Sept. 1916 he is in Kubri (India) and in March 1917 his original enlistment papers are revoked and he is transferred to Unallocated Artillery Reinforcements and goes from Kubri to Egypt.
In Sept. 1916 now a Gunner, he is in the Moascar Isolation Camp (An Australian training site in Egypt) and  in June1917 he is transferred to 15th Field Coy. Engineers, at Parkhouse, England.
In November 1917 he proceeded overseas to France where he received an Adm Bomb wound (or GSW to the neck) on Dec. 6th, 1917. He is transferred to England on the 20th and to Bath War Hospital on the 21st December 1917. In May 1918 he is at Harefield, England.
On 30th June 1918 he returns to Australia and is discharged medically unfit .
He was the son of Arthur 'John' Foley and Sarah Nibbs.


Percy Henry Roden
Service No.2748
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 8033966
Born 1896, Ulverstone, Tas.
Enlisted: 28 June 1915, Beaconsfield, Tas. 15th Battalion. Later transferred to various other units
Served: Gallipoli, France.
Training Injury:  Dec 1915 (Egypt). Reoccured: France Feb 1917. Evacuated to England for surgery.
Returned to Australia February 1918.  Medical discharge. 11 October 1918.
Son of George Roden and Lovisa Jordan (Sarah Nibbs family line)  


Lawrence William Ray
Service No. 255
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 8024887

Born 8 August 1893 at Port Frederick, Tas.
Lawrence enlisted at Claremont, Tasmania in March 1916 age 22 ½ years.
He joined the 40th Battalion as a Private.

He proceeded to France where he was wounded in action (gassed) on 7th June 1917 (Etaples) and wounded 22 June 1917 then transferred to England.
He was repatriated to Australia in December 1917 and discharged from the Army in May 1918.
He was the son of Thomas Ray and Susannah (Susan) Nibbs.
Herbert Angus McPherson
Commissioned Office: Major
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 1958693
Born 22 October 1890 (Sprent, Tas.)
Enlisted: 4 September 1914. 12th Battalion.
He served in Dardanelles, Gallipoli Peninsula and France and had been wounded in action at least twice.  In France, he was mentioned in despatches for Distinguished and Gallant action in the Field.
Wounded Dardenelles, 6 May 1915.
Wounded in action France 20 September 1917 (Ypes).
Rejoined unit December 1917. Mentioned in despatches.
Embarked for Australia 24 December 1918
Major McPherson died of a self inflicted revolver wound on 24 December 1918 during the voyage back to Australia and was buried at sea. He is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial

The Advocate Burnie 10th January 1919
TASMANIANS DEATH AT SEA - LEVEN OFFICER EXPIRES ON WAY HOME

Mr. Angus McPherson of Sprent has received the sad news that his son Major McPherson, died at sea on December 24 (Christmas Eve). Major McPherson enlisted from Sprent and left Tasmania with the first reinforcements. He fought at Gallipoli where he was wounded, and after being in France for some time was again laid aside for a short time through wounds received in action. He left with the rank of lieutenant, and during his military career gave evidence of ability and courage that earned for him promotion to the position, he held at the time of his death. He was well-known as a young man of exceptionally fine disposition, and his death on the eve of once more being with the members of his family after four years of stern warfare, makes their sorrow all the more poignant.
Son of Angus McPherson and Janet Miller Wright
In: Mary Ann Nibbs Tree (Lamont )

Claude Albert McPherson
Service No. 7519
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 1958638
Born 14 June 1893 (Ulverstone) 
Enlisted at Ulverstone, October 1916.
Served in France  where he was wounded 25 August 1918.
He was invalided and returned to Australia December 1918.
Died 13 July 1972 (Ulverstone)
He was the brother of Major Herbert Angus McPherson. [See above.]
Son of Angus McPherson and Janet Miller Wright
In: Mary Ann Nibbs Tree (Lamont )
Thomas Scougall
Service No 3180
NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 8075804
Enlisted 31 July 1915 (Claremont, Tas.)
Seriously wounded in France  - July 1916 (Gunshot wounds to Left arm and side)
Evacuated to Bentley Hospital, England
Rejoined Unit in France 13 May 1917
Returned to Australia April. 1919. Discharged T>P>E> 23 July 1919
Died: 3 June, 1985 (Gymea, NSW)
Son of Wm Drysdale Scougall and Isabel M Henderson
Nephew of Charles F Scougall and Hester Elizabeth Nibbs



Francis 'Frank' RayService No.22096NAA Series Record B2455. Barcode 8027211
Born in Devonport he enlisted at Claremont Tas. as a Saddler Sgt./Gunner with the 108th Howitzer Battery.
He proceeded overseas to England in Aug 1916 and then to France 31 December 1917.
He returned to Australia per the "Malia" In June 1919.
Son of Thomas Ray and Susannah 'Susan' Ray  (nee Nibbs) 


Robert Victor Hedge
NZ Service No. 37531
Born: 1995 Launceston Tas
Enlisted: 29 September 1916 Waihi NZ
Profession:  Blacksmith Striker
Wounded in Action 21 June 1918. NZ Field Engineers Wounded Casualty List #886/1
Regiment: 3rd Tunnellers.
Rank: Sapper
Son of Robert Henry Hedge and Gertrude Annie Howard-Rawson (aka Sarah Annie Howard)