Henry Hilton Gibson's inscription, High Wycombe Cemetery
Henry Hilton Gibson 1893 - 1919
My name is Henry Hilton Gibson and I was born in 183 in High Wycombe. I was the son of Henry and Hannah Gibson. We lived at 437, London Road, Wycombe Marsh. I had two brothers, Arthur and Fred and two sisters Ethel and Dolly. My father was a carpenter and joiner and I was employed in chair manufacture with Mr Mole of Easton Street where I understand I was held in high esteem.
I initially joined the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry in October 1915 and my service number was 20410 but I was transferred the following year to the Devonshire Regiment and became Private 92186. I then served with the Devonshires in France for a considerable time, only being demobilised in April 1919.
My health was rated B2 on demobilisation, and I declared myself free from any disease, wound or injury that could be attributed to, or had been aggravated by my war service so my sudden death six months later was a severe and unexpected shock to my family and friends. I died on 7th October 1919 at the Wycombe Cottage Hospital in Priory Road, aged 26. The cause of my death was ‘abdominal obstruction and peritonitis’ and my death had to certified by the Coroner as it was probably quite sudden. My obituary in the newspaper, however, voiced what my family were probably thinking and it included the words: "His service in the army undoubtedly undermined his health, and hastened his end."
My funeral at All Saints was on the 11th October and I was buried here in Wycombe Cemetery. It was quite a grand affair. My Guard of Honour was formed by members of the Discharged Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Federation of which I was also a member and they placed a beautiful floral tribute on my grave. More floral tributes were placed there by my family and friends who attended my funeral. My parents, two brothers, two sisters, sister-in-law, aunts and uncles and my beloved fiancee, Miss Collins, were all there.
Had I not been discharged six months previously I would have qualified for recognition by the CWGC but because I was no longer in army service I was ineligible for a CWGC headstone.
Researched by Margaret Anderton, Flackwell Local Area History Group and Sally Scagell, Lost the Plot.
