Canada, CEF. A First War Pair to 52nd Infantry Battalion

British War Medal (865150 A. CPL. F. GIBSON. 52-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (865150 A. CPL. F. GIBSON. 52-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, original ribbons, dark patina and edge nicks on the BWM, light contact and spotting on the VM, very fine.

 

Footnote: Frank Gibson was born on June 10, 1898 in Winsford, Cheshire, England, the son of Frank Gibson (later of Innisfree, Alberta), his mother deceased. He was a resident on Brandon, Manitoba when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (865150) with the 181st Infantry Battalion "Brandon Battalion", on February 28, 1916 in Brandon, at the age of 17, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Gladys Evelyn Gibson of Brandon, stating that he was with an active militia since June 6, 1915, the 99th Regiment (Manitoba Rangers), that he was married and that his trade was that of Clerk (also acknowledged in his records as Salesman). While training, he was admitted to Brandon General Hospital on March 7, 1917, suffering from Influenza and after six days, he was discharged to duty on the 13th. He was named to the rank of Acting Corporal on April 16, 1917. The Battalion was raised in the Brandon district of Manitoba with mobilization headquarters at Brandon under the authority of G.O. 69, July 15, 1916. The Battalion sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 18, 1917 aboard the S.S. Grampian, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D.W. Beaubier with a strength of 20 officers and 597 other ranks, arriving in Liverpool, England on April 29th. Upon arrival in England, the Battalion was absorbed into the 18th Reserve Battalion. Gibson reverted to the rank of Private on transfer to the 52nd Infantry Battalion, for service in the French theatre, on June 21, 1917, landing in France on the 22nd. He was taken on strength of the battalion on the 30th, leaving for his new unit in the field on July 11th. Three months after arriving in France, he was admitted to No. 9 Canadian Field Ambulance on September 23, 1917 with "P.U.O." (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin = fever) and after seven days' treatment, was discharged to duty on September 30th. The following Spring, he was awarded one Good Conduct Badge on March 28, 1918. The "P.U.O." that he experienced the previous year, returned to haunt him in early August 1918. He was admitted to No. 4 Field Ambulance on August 14, 1918, then transferred the next day to No. 17 Casualty Clearing Station, before being admitted to No. 12 General Hospital at Rouen on the 16th. He was experiencing "pain in his chest and weak spells", that were caused by "long and heavy marching". He told the doctors that he was "well and fit" until this time. It was noted that he was suffering from "Dyspnea" (difficult or laboured breathing), that Gibson "was on a forced march, he (had) marched 22 kilometers, carrying (a) full pack, medical kit and stretcher, from then on he noticed that he was short winded". After three days treatment and rest at No. 12 General Hospital, he was transferred to No. 12 Convalescent Depot at Rouen on the 19th, where he consulted heart specialists and was prescribed medicine and rest. He was discharged to duty on September 30th and posted to the Canadian Infantry Base Depot, then posted to the Canadian Labour Pool on October 4th. He was briefly transferred to No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital on October 11th, then returned to duty on the 16th. He was re-examined at the Canadian Base Depot at Etaples on December 23, 1918 and was declared "Fit for Duty". As hostilities had ceased the previous November, Gibson was transferred to England and posted to the Canadian Army Medical Corps Casualty Company on January 1, 1919. Ten days later, he was attached to No. 1 Canadian Discharge Depot at Buxton for return to Canada on January 10th. He embarked Liverpool aboard HMT Grampian on January 24th, arriving in Saint John, New Brunswick shortly thereafter. Upon arrival in Canada, he was posted to No. 10 District Depot in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In his Medical History of an Invalid, dated March 1, 1919 at No. 10 District Depot in Winnipeg, his history of "valvular disease of the heart" was reviewed by the physicians. It was determined that he be declared "Fit for Duty" under Category "C" (Home Service in Canada only) and that he would incur a minimum period of disability of approximately six months. Acting Corporal Frank Gibson, 52nd Infantry Battalion was discharged upon demobilization at No. 10 District Depot in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on March 15, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England, France and Belgium, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 72119. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. In his Will, dated January 12, 1917, he stated that "I bequeath all my estate and my personal estate unto Mrs. Evelyn Gibson (wife), Suite 6, Fraser Block, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada", but of course, the Will was never executed. He died on June 28, 1956, at the age of 58.